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GEORGE WASHINGTON 



LIFE OF 

WASHINGTON 



BY 

M. L. WILLIAMSON 

Author of Life of Lee and Life of Jackson 




B. F. JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY 

Atlanta RICHMOND Dallas 






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Copyrifshi, 1911, 

BY 

B. F. JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY 



^CU:>8n953 



PREFACE 

Although more than a century has passed since the 
death of Washington, his name is still the most illustri- 
ous upon the pages of American history. Living during 
a period of expansion and changes, as ambassador, 
statesman, captain-general, and President, he served his 
country long and faithfully. Inasmuch as the question 
of expansion is again rife and the conditions of our gov- 
ernment are changing, it is well to review his life and 
character and to place them anew before the youth of 
our country. Let our young men imitate his unselfish 
devotion to duty and to the broad and deep principles 
of true liberty, and we need not fear for the future of 
our great Republic. 

In compiling this work, I have been forced to omit 
much of interest in regard to Washington; yet I have 
endeavored to include those incidents and facts which in 
my opinion best bring out his life and delineate his 
character. 

M. L. WILLIAMSON 

New Market, Va., 
Feb. 22, 191L 



CONTENTS 

Chapter Page 

I The Boy and Young Surveyor 9 

II The Ambassador. . 22 

III The Lieutenant-Colonel 38 

IV The Alde-de-Camp 47 

V The Commander of the Virginia Troops .... 68 

VI The Legislator and Planter 74 

VII The Commander-in-Chief 95 

VIII The Commander-in-Chief 128 

IX The Commander-in-Chief 150 

X The Citizen and President 179 

XI First in the Hearts of His Fellow-Citizens. . 199 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



CHAPTER I 
THE BOY AND YOUNG SURVEYOR 

George Washington was born in Westmore- 
land county, Virginia, on Feb. 22, 1732. The 
Washington family in Virginia came of good old 
English stock which may be traced back to the 
century following the conquest of England by 
William of Normandy, A. D. 1066. 

The feudal name of the family, De Wessyng- 
ton, is found many times in chronicles of Eng- 
land. In the lapse of time the name became 
Washington; and in 1546 we find a certain 
Lawrence Washington living at Sulgrove Manor, 
Northampton. He was a man of property and 
distinction, being Lord Mayor of Northampton. 
The family continued to reside at Sulgrove 
Manor until 1606, when Lawrence Washington, 



10 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

the grandson of the Lord Mayor, removed to 
the village of Little Brington where his home 
and tomb may yet be found. This place, 
which is sometimes called the ''Cradle of the 
Washingtons," is only two hours' journey by 
rail from London. 

The Washingtons were royalists, and as 
England was an unsafe place for all friends of 
the unfortunate Stuarts while Cromwell was 
at the head of the government, we find the two 
sons of the Rev. Lawrence Washington, John 
and Lawrence, coming to Virginia. They ar- 
rived in 1657 and bought lands in Westmoreland 
county, between the Potomac and Rappahan- 
nock rivers — the region called, the ''Northern 
Neck." John, whom we afterwards find as 
Colonel Washington leading the Virginia troops 
against the Indians, became a noted planter, 
a magistrate, and a member of the House of 
Burgesses. Augustine, his grandson, ^was the 
father of our Washington. 

Augustine Washington is described as a tall 
man of noble bearing, with a fair complexion 
and fine gray eyes. He was a worthy man and 
commanded the respect of his neighbors. He 



THE BOY AND YOUNG SURVEYOR 11 

married Jane Butler and settled down as a 
planter in Westmoreland county. In 1728 his 
wife died, leaving him four children, of whom 
only two, Lawrence and Augustine, lived to 
manhood. Two years later he married Mary 
Ball, the beautiful belle of the Northern Neck. 

The young bride had passed her life quietly 
at Epping Forest, her father's country seat, 
where she had been carefully trained in all the 
domestic duties of her day. Though she had 
little book learning, she must have possessed 
a commanding character, as we are told that 
her sons, though ''proper, tall fellows," were 
wont to sit as ''mute as mice" in her presence. 

For several years after his second marriage, 
Augustine Washington resided in the old home- 
stead on Bridges Creek, where George, the eldest 
child by his second marriage, was born. A few 
years later the homestead was burned, and he 
removed to an estate in Stafford county, oppo- 
site Fredericksburg. Here he died in April, 
1743. 

Besides her stepsons, the young widow was 
left with five children of her own — George, 
Elizabeth, Samuel, John, and Charles. To 



12 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

these children she devoted her Hfe, being in- 
trusted with the care of all their property until 
they should each come of age. A charming 
picture has been given us of Mary Washington 
with her children gathered round her, reading to 
them from her favorite volume, Sir Matthew 
Hale's Contemplations, Moral and Divine. This 
book, bearing her name written with her own 
hand, may still be seen at Mount Vernon. 

Augustine Washington's large possessions were 
divided by will among his children; the home and 
the estate on the Rappahannock was to become 
the property of George when he should reach 
the age of twenty-one. 

During his father's lifetime George went to 
school to an old man named Hobby, who 
doubtless taught him to read, write, and cipher. 
When he was about eight years old, his half- 
brother Lawrence, who had been sent to Eng- 
land to complete his education, returned home 
an accomplished young gentleman. A remark- 
able affection now sprang up between Lawrence 
and his little brother, which lasted as long as 
the 'former lived and which had great influence 
upon the life of George, 



THE BOY AND YOUNG SURVEYOR 13 

Lawrence Washington must have inherited 
some of the mihtary spirit of his ancestors, for 
we find him, when twenty-two years of age, rais- 
ing a company and joining a mihtary expedition 
to the West Indies, commanded by Admiral 
Vernon, for the purpose of punishing the Span- 
iards for interfering with British commerce. 
Thus it came about that George received his 
first lessons in military affairs. He saw the 
preparations made for the expedition and after- 
ward heard of the war through his brother. 

Fighting mimic battles was at that time one 
of the favorite amusements of the pupils of the 
old-field school. George entered into this sport 
with much pleasure. He was commander of 
one army, while a schoolmate named William 
Bustle led the opposing forces, and it is said 
that George was always victorious. 

After his father's death George was sent to 
school to a Mr. Williams at Bridges Creek. 
Here he learned to draft all kinds of deeds, 
bonds, and mercantile papers, for his teacher 
believed in giving boys a practical education. 
His manuscript books, which are still to be 
seen at Mount Vernon, are models of neatness. 



14 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

This training was of great service to him in 
after life, as he was always able to draft legal 
documents with the skill of a lawyer. While 
still at school he collected and transcribed fifty- 
four rules of etiquette which govern in good 
society. 

At this period of his life George grew up rapid- 
ly into a tall, well-proportioned youth, and by 
practicing himself in all kinds of athletic exer- 
cises became noted for his agility and strength. 
A place is still pointed out at Fredericks- 
burg, where, when a boy, he threw a stone across 
the Rappahannock river. He was also a fine 
horseman. A story is told that when only ten 
years old, he mounted a beautiful but vicious 
colt, which belonged to his mother and which no 
one could ride. The colt reared and plunged 
and ran, but the young horseman kept his seat. 
At last the animal made a furious plunge, 
struck his head against a wall, and fell dead. 
His companions were all frightened. What 
would Mrs. Washington say to the killing of her 
fine colt? Going to the house, George said to 
his mother, "Your sorrel colt is dead, mother; 
I killed him." Then he told just how it had 




GEORGE RIDING THE COLT. 



[I 15] 



16 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

happened Mrs. Washington was of course 
much grieved at the loss of her colt, but after 
a few moments she said, '*I am very sorry to 
lose my colt, but I am very glad to have a son 
who is not afraid to speak the truth." 

When our hero was fourteen years of age, 
arrangements were made by his brother Law- 
rence for him to enter the navy as a midship- 
man. His mother at first consented to let him 
go but after his trunks had been packed and 
the time came to say good-by, she was so deeply 
distressed that he gave up the idea and returned 
to school. 
> For the next two years he devoted himself 
chiefly to the study of mathematics. He made a 
special study of land-surveying, which in those 
days was a very important profession. He learned 
the "highest processes of the art," and spared 
himself neither trouble nor fatigue to become 
proficient. He made surveys in the neighbor- 
hood and kept field books in which notes and 
plots were entered with great neatness. ''Noth- 
ing," says the historian Irving, ''was left half 
done, or done in a hurried or slovenly manner. 
The habit of mind thus cultivated continued 



THE BOY AND YOUNG SURVEYOR 17 

throughout Hfe; so that however .compHcated 
his tasks and overwhelming his cares, he found 
time to do everything and to do it well." V 

In 1747 George left school and went to live 
with his brother Lawrence at Mount Vernon. 
The latter had married Anne, the daughter of 
Hon. William Fairfax, brother of Lord Fairfax, 
and had settled on his estate upon the banks 
of the Potomac river. This estate he called 
Mount Vernon in honor of his beloved admiral. 

While living with his brother, George was 
constantly in the company of the most intelli- 
gent and refined people, and by this association 
the manners of the home-bred boy received 
the stately polish of those colonial times. As 
Lawrence Washington was a member of the 
House of Burgesses and also adjutant-general 
of the district, there were statesmen as well as 
soldiers visiting at Mount Vernon. Their con- 
versation relating to government and military 
affairs must have made a deep impression upon 
the mind of the thoughtful and manly boy. >- 

When Washington was about sixteen, he was 
engaged by Lord Fairfax to survey his lands 
beyond the Blue Ridge. These lands had been 



18 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

taken up by lawless settlers, or ''squatters,** 
and Lord Fairfax now desired to survey the vast 
region and bring the whole under his own con- 
trol. Though Washington was only a youth, 
he possessed the necessary vigor, courage, and 
ability to perform the task, and very soon we 
see him ready to begin the difficult under- 
taking. 
N In March, 1748, Washington set out on horse- 
back accompanied by George William Fairfax, 
a nephew of Lord Fairfax. They entered the 
Valley of Virginia through Ashby's Gap, a pass 
through the Blue Ridge which then formed the 
western boundary of Virginia settlements. Here 
they found a beautiful region extending from the 
Blue Ridge on the east to the North Mountain, 
a spur of the Alleghanies, on the west, and 
watered by the beautiful Shenandoah river, 
which means in the Indian tongue ''Daughter 
of the Stars." In his diary Washington dwells 
with delight upon the magnificent forests and 
fertile lands of this region. 

The travelers first stopped at a kind of lodge 
where the steward of Lord Fairfax lived, about 
twelve miles from the town of Winchester. 



THE BOY AND YOUNG SURVEYOR 19 

From there they followed the course of the 
Shenandoah for many miles. Usually they 
would camp out in the open air, but sometimes 
they would be invited to share the scanty fare 
of the woodman's cabin. 

. When at last, having turned northward, they 
reached the Potomac, they found it so swollen 
by heavy rains that it was not fordable. Pro- 
curing a canoe, they crossed over in it, swimming 
their horses. They then traveled in a pouring 
rain forty miles up the river to the home of 
a Colonel Cresap. Here Washington saw for 
the first time an Indian war dance. A party of 
savages appeared at the settlement and were 
induced by Colonel Cresap to dance for the 
amusement of his guests. The horrid appear- 
ance of the savages and their terrible yells and 
whoops made a deep impression upon Washing- 
ton, as he tells us in his diary. 

Several weeks were now spent by the young 
explorers in the mountains of Frederick county, 
surveying lands and marking off the boundaries 
of farms. The weather was stormy and their 
trials were many. Once the straw in which 
Washington wa§ sleeping caught fire and he 



^ 



20 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

was awakened just in time to escape a burning. 
Again their tent blew down and they were 
driven out into the pitiless rain. In a letter to 
one of his friends, Washington wrote: ''I have 
not slept above three or four nights in a bed, 
but after walking all day have lain down before 
the fire upon a little straw or fodder or a bear 
skin, whichever was to be had, with man, wife, 
and children, like dogs and cats; and happy is 
he who gets the berth nearest the fire." 

About the middle of April, Washington was 
again at Mount Vernon. For wages he had 
received each day a doubloon (between $15 and 
$16). He had done his work so well that Lord 
Fairfax secured for him the appointment as 
public surveyor. His surveys w^ere now re- 
corded in the county offices and many of the 
lines run by him remain unchanged to this day.-^' 

The description of his possessions given by 
the two young men was so pleasing to Lord 
Fairfax that he moved across the Blue Ridge 
and took up his residence at the lodge, known 
afterwards as ''Greenway Court." The fine 
manor house which he planned was never built;, 
but th^ qM stone bouse, in which the steward 



THE BOY AND YOUNG SURVEYOR 21 

had lived, served for the entertainment of his 
guests. Here Washington was always welcome, 
and here too he indulged in hunting and other 
sports of the forest. Lord Fairfax was a man of 
culture and varied experience and it is probable 
that Washington derived both pleasure and 
profit from the 'conversation of his lordship. 
^ He followed the occupation of surveying for 
three years and found that it paid him well, 
for there were then few surveyors for the vast 
tracts of country then being thrown open to 
adventurous settlers. -^ 

Throughout the beautiful valley, there are 
still colonial homes which claim to have shel- 
tered Washington when yet a young surveyor. 



22 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

CHAPTER II 
THE AMBASSADOR 

Meanwhile some of the most enterprising 
men of Virginia had formed a plan to settle 
the vast region west of the Alleghanies. You 
remember that both the English and the French 
claimed the country from the Great Lakes to 
the Ohio river. The French claim was based 
upon the discovery of the Mississippi by 
Marquette (mar ket^ and Joliet (zho lya') in 
1673. According to an unwritten law of na- 
tions, France had a right to claim not only the 
lands bordering upon the Mississippi, but also 
those drained by its tributary streams. 

To this claim the English opposed that of a 
purchase of the territory from the Indians. 
In 1744 a treaty had been made at Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania, between commissioners from Penn- 
sylvania, Maryland, and Virginia and the Six 
Nations. By this treaty the Indians gave up for 
the sum of four hundred pounds all right to the 
land west of the Alleghanies, which region, they 
said, had been conquered by their forefathers. 



THE AMBASSADOR 23 

It Is true that the treaty and purchase did take 
place, but it is just as certain that the Six 
Nations at that time possessed not a foot of 
land west of the Alleghanies. 

The time had now come for this great region 
to be settled. Both France and England be- 
gan to make known their shadowy claims to 
it, and each of these nations prepared to fore- 
stall the other by taking possession. 

In 1749, to gain a foothold in tbat country 
and to obtain wealth by its trade, an associa- 
tion called the ''Ohio Company," was chartered, 
and five hundred thousand acres of land west of 
the Alleghanies was granted to it by the king of 
England. Both Lawrence and Augustine Wash- 
ington were members of the company and upon 
the death of the president, Mr. Thomas Lee, 
Lawrence Washington took his place. The com- 
pany now began to make preparations to send 
out settlers. 

In the meantime the French under Bien- 
ville (byaN vel) had taken possession of the 
country. He gave presents to the Indians, and 
after warning them not to trade with the English, 
nailed great leaden plates to the trees and buried 



24 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



1 



others in the ground on which were inscribed 
notices to the effect that the land belonged to 
the king of France. 

News of these proceedings was brought to 
the members of the Ohio Company, but they 
continued their preparations. In the fall of 
1749 they sent Christopher Gist, a hardy 
pioneer from the banks of the Yadkin, to ex- 
plore their possessions and to find out something 
about the native tribes. 

Accompanied by several woodsmen, Gist 
went northward until he reached Logstown, 
the home of Tanacharisson, the Half King. 
As he was absent on a hunt. Gist pushed on to 
Muskingan, where he was well received and where 
a council of the nation was held. He after- 
wards visited the Delawares, the Shawnees, 
and the Miamis, all of whom expressed their 
friendship for the English and promised to 
attend a meeting at Logstown the next spring 
to make a treaty with Virginia. Logstown was 
situated a little below the site of the present 
city of Pittsburg. 

Upon hearing of the proposed meeting of the 
western tribes at Logstown, the governor of 



THE AMBASSADOR 25 

Canada sent another embassy to the Indians, 
but to no purpose. The savages not only re- 
fused to Hsten to the French, but rejected the 
offered belt of wampum, the sign of peace and 
friendship. The embassy then left, making 
threats against the English and all others who 
might venture to trade upon those lands. In 
spite of all these warnings, Gist, under the pro- 
tection of the Virginia legislature, surveyed 
the lands south of the Ohio river that belonged 
to the Ohio Company. 

The French now prepared for war. The 
English colonies also began to make ready for 
the contest which they saw approaching. There 
was quite a stir in Virginia, for the territory in 
dispute was within her boundaries. The colony 
was divided into military districts, in each of 
which there was an adjutant-general, with the 
rank of major, whose duty was to organize and 
equip the militia. 

Through the influence of Lawrence Wash- 
ington, his brother George was appointed adju- 
tant-general of his district. The compass and 
surveyor's chain were now laid aside for the 
sword and manual exercise, A veteran, Adju- 



26 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

tant Muse, instructed the young officer in the 
art of war, while Jacob Van Braam, a fencing- 
master, gave him lessons in the use of the sword. 

In the midst of this excitement, Lawrence 
Washington's health became so delicate that 
by the advice of his physicians he determined 
to pass a winter in the West Indies, taking 
George as a companion. They reached Barba- 
does in the fall of 1751, and were charmed with 
the tropical fruits and balmly climate of the 
island. Here Washington for the first time 
visited a theatre, and here, too, he was taken 
down with smallpox. After an illness of three 
weeks, he was restored to perfect health. He 
then visited various sections of the island and 
enjoyed greatly the strange scenes of a tropical 
country. 

Lawrence Washington did not improve in 
health as it had been hoped, so he determined 
to visit Bermuda in the spring. George re- 
turned to Virginia to escort Mrs. Washington 
to her husband at Bermuda. But before the 
plan could be carried out, his brother's condition 
had become w^orse and the invalid hastened 
home to die under his own roof. On July 26, 



28 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

1752, at the age of thirty-four, this accomplished 
and noble-hearted gentleman passed away, 
beloved and lamented by all. His infant daugh- 
ter was left heiress to his wealth, but in the event 
of her death and that of her mother, the prop- 
erty was bequeathed to his brother George. 

While Washington had been lingering at 
the bedside of his brother, stirring events had 
taken place along the Ohio. The treaty had 
been made at Logstown with the Delawares, 
Shawnees, and Mingoes; and Gist had been in- 
structed to build a fort on the east side of the 
Ohio, not far from where Pittsburg now stands. 
The Ohio Company had also a trading post 
at Will's Creek (now Cumberland, Maryland.) 

The French, however, refused to give up the 
territory, and by various means induced some of 
the tribes friendly to the English to join them. 
They had even advanced to Piqua,the great town 
of the Miaimis, sacked the place and raised the 
French flag. 

Hearing of these events. Governor Dinwid- 
die sent Captain Trent to warn the French 
not to trespass on British soil. Trent found 
affairs so threatening along the frontier that 



THE AMBASSADOR 29 

he became discouraged and returned home 
without having deHvered his message. 

As it was necessary to send another am- 
bassador to the French, Governor Dinwiddie 
began to look about for a person better fitted 
for the task than the unlucky Captain Trent. 
George Washington was recommended as hav- 
ing the necessary courage and determination, 
and Governor Dinwiddie chose him at once for 
the mission. He was directed to go to Logstown 
and there interview the Half King and the rest 
of the sachems. He was to tell them his mis- 
sion and ask for an escort to conduct him to the 
French commander. He was to deliver to the 
commander a letter written by Governor Din- 
widdie and in the name of the king of England 
demand an answer. It was also his duty to 
gain all the information possible about the forts 
and forces of the French and also about the 
Indians. 

Washington left Williamsburg on Oct. 30, 
1753. Going by Alexandria and Winchester, 
he pushed on to Will's Creek, where he was met 
by Gist. He engaged the latter as guide and 
one Johu Davidsgn ^s iaterpr^ter.. His old 



30 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

friend Van Braam and four frontiersmen also 
accompanied him. On Nov. 15 the Httle party 
set out on their long and wearisome journey. 

Winter had now set in with storms of rain 
and snow which rendered the trails almost 
impassable and the rivers past fording. After 
many hardships they reached Logstown on 
Nov. 24. Half King was absent at his hunting 
lodge fifteen miles distant. Washington, how- 
ever, sent out runners and invited the Half 
King and other chiefs to a meeting on the next 
day. The Half King came promptly and gave 
Washington much information about the French. 

The next morning the chiefs came to the 
council where W^ashington made his first speech. 
He told them that their brother, the governor 
of Virginia, was sending a letter to the French 
commander and that he needed the services of 
some of their young men to guide his party and 
to guard them against the French Indians, who 
were on the warpath. He then gave the chiefs a 
string of w^ampum, the emblem of peace. 

The Half King replied that they would help 
their brothers, the English, but that three 
days would be necessary to prepare for the 



THE AMBASSADOR 



81 



journey. Washington protested at the delay, but 
soon found that to hurry the departure would 
offend his savage allies. He, therefore, awaited 
their pleasure. After much discussion it was 
determined that, for fear of arousing the sus- 
picions of the French, only the Half King and 
two others should 
go as guides. 

So stormy was 
the weather that it 
was not until De- 
cember 4 that they 
reached Venango, 
the first French 
post. There Wash- 
ington was told that 
he must deliver the 
governor's letter to 
the officer at the next fort. A storm detained 
them at Venango for three days, during which 
time Washington gained much information 
about the French; and the Half King and his 
brother sachems consumed more of the French 
liquor than was good for them. 

On Dec. 12 the party at last reached Fort 




KLESSO CO 90 120 150 180 210 240 



32 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

Le Boeuf (le bef) on French Creek, about fifteen 
miles south of Lake Erje. Washington im- 
mediately presented the letter of Governor 
Dinwiddie to the commander, Chevalier de 
St. Pierre (she va lya'de saN pyar). Two days 
later St. Pierre delivered his reply. 

His mission having been accomplished, 
Washington now made ready to leave. The 
wily Frenchman, however, detained the party 
for another day, during which he did all that he 
could to win the Half King to the side of the 
French. It was a time of great anxiety to 
Washington, but at last he prevailed upon the 
Half King to start upon the return journey. 

They had gone to the fort from Venango 
in canoes and now began their return in like 
manner. The creek was swollen and full of 
broken ice. Often the canoes were in danger 
of being dashed against the rocks, and again 
the travelers would have to leap into the icy 
water in order to draw them over shoals. At 
one place where the river was dammed by ice, 
they carried their canoes for a quarter of a mile 
across a neck of land. Finally, however, they 
reached Venango on Dec. 22, and on Christ- 
mas Day set out for home. 



THE AMBASSADOR 3S 

The weather was bitterly cold and the earth 
was covered with a deep snow. The pack- 
horses were weak from exposure and lack of 
food, and it was feared that they would give 
out. Washington and his companions dis- 
mounted and gave up their saddle horses to 
assist in carrying the baggage. For three 
days they toiled on in this way, when Wash- 
ington, impatient to complete his mission, de- 
cided to hasten in advance of the party by tak- 
ing the nearest trail through the forests. Leav- 
ing Van Braam in charge of the party, he, with 
his pack upon his back and a rifle in his hand, 
stepped out into the wilderness accompanied 
only by Gist. 

When night came on, they made a fire and 
rested for a few hours. Starting again long be- 
fore day, they pushed forward until they reached 
a place called Murdering Town. Here they 
came upon a party of Indians and employed one 
of them to act as guide through the trackless 
forests which no\^ lay before them. 

After traveling some distance, they came 
about twilight to an opening in the forest. 
The Indian, who was ahead, turned suddenly 



34 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

and fired at them. Washington was startled, 
but, finding that neither he nor Gist was 
wounded, pursued the Indian and seized him as 
he was reloading his gun. Gist would have 
killed him on the spot, but Washington inter- 
fered and saved his life. 

They took his loaded gun from him and 
made him march in front. Gist now concluded 
that it would be best to get rid of him; so 
Washington said to the Indian in a friendly way, 
''I suppose that you had lost your way and fired 
your gun merely as a signal. Now as you are 
near your home, you can go there for the night." 
*'Yes," said Gist, ''as we are tired, we will re- 
main here and follow your track in the morn- 
ing. Here is some bread and you must have 
meat ready for us early to-morrow." 

As soon as the guide had left them, they kindled 
a large fire and set their compass by the light 
of it. They then began their journey again. 
Fearing pursuit by the Indians, they traveled 
all night and the next day until nightfall, when 
they reached the Alleghany river. 

After passing an anxious night, they arose in 
the morning to contrive some way to cross the 



THE AMBASSADOR 35 

river. At last they determined to build a raft. 
Though they worked with all speed, they could 
not complete it before the sun had gone down. 
They launched it in the gathering darkness, and 
tried to push it across the river with poles. 
Before they were half way over, the raft was 
caught between cakes of ice, and in trying to get 
it loose, Washington was jerked into the water 
by the force of the current. Fortunately he was 
able to grasp one of the logs and by his great 
strength to climb back upon the raft. 

They were now unable to reach either shore. 
At length they drifted near a small island on 
which they took refuge. Here they spent a 
most miserable night. The cold was so severe 
that Gist's hands and feet were frozen. When 
morning came, the river was so gorged with ice 
cakes that they easily made their way to the 
opposite shore. 

Before night they had reached the house 
of Frazier, an Indian trader on the Monon- 
gahela. They left these comfortable quarters 
on January 1, and arrived at the home of Gist 
on the next day. 

Having bought a horse, Washington con- 



36 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

tinued his way alone and reached Williamsburg 
on January 16. He lost no time in delivering 
to Governor Dinwiddie the letter of the French 
commander and in making a full report of his 
journey. The letter was evasive; it indicated, 
however, no intention of giving up the territory. 

The report of Washington convinced all 
parties that the French would take possession 
of the Ohio Valley in the spring. It was pub- 
lished and sent throughout the colonies and to 
the mother country in order to arouse the people 
and make them take measures to forestall the 
French. 

There were then stirring times in the Old 
Dominion. Captain Trent was ordered to 
raise a company of one hundred men on the 
frontier, and then to march to the Fork of the 
Ohio and complete the fort begun by the Ohio 
Company. Washington was sent to Alexandria 
to raise another company and to forward sup- 
plies to the forces under Captain Trent. 

The journey from Williamsburg to Fort 
Le Boeuf and back again was fully one thousand 
miles, across streams, through dense forests, 
^nd regions frequented by hostile Indians, The 



THE AMBASSADOR 87 

fidelity with which Washington executed his 
dangerous commission was the foundation of his 
future greatness and caused him to be regarded 
as the "rising hope of Virginia." " 



38 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

CHAPTER III 
THE LIEUTENANT-COLONEL 

Governor Dinwiddie now appealed to the 
governors of the other colonies for help. He also 
convened the House of Burgesses and demanded 
a grant of money to equip troops and fortify 
the frontier against the French. The governors 
all sent excuses, but the House of Burgesses 
voted ten thousand pounds for defense of the 
disputed territory. 

A regiment of six companies of volunteers 
were called out, and Washington was offered 
the command; but with his usual modesty he 
refused it, assigning as a reason that he was too 
young and inexperienced. Colonel Joshua Frye 
of North Carolina was then placed in command, 
and Washington was made second officer with 
the rank of lieutenant-colonel. 

With two of these companies, numbering 
in all about one hundred and fifty men, Wash- 
ington at once set out for the new fort at the 
Fork of the Ohio. While waiting at Will's 
Creek for baggage wagons, he learned that the 



THE LIEUTENANT-COLONEL 39 

French, after driving away the men sent to build 
and guard the fort, had strengthened it and 
renamed It Fort Du Quesne (doo kan'). Re- 
gardless of this bad news, Washington marched 
on, making a road for his baggage wagons and 
artillery as he advanced. 

The Half King now sent two warriors to 
assure Washington that he was friendly to the 
English and to ask help against the French 
and their Indian allies. They w^ere reported 
to be over a thousand strong. News was also 
received that another French force was ascending 
the Ohio river and that six hundred Chippewas 
and Ottawas were marching to join them. 

One of the warriors was sent to Williamsburg 
to see Governor Dinwiddle, and the other was 
Instructed to inform the Half King that Wash- 
ington was on his way with a part of the army, 
and to invite the Indians to meet him as soon 
as possible. He also wrote to the governors 
of Pennsylvania and Maryland informing them 
of his perilous situation and asking aid. In a 
council of war. It was decided to march to the 
Ohio Company's storehouse at the mouth of 
Redstone Creek and fortify themselves. There 



40 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

they could watch the enemy and await rein- 
forcements. 

On May 23, this message came from the 
faithful Half King: *'It is reported that the 
French army is coming to meet Major Wash- 
ington. Be on your guard against them, my 
brethren, for they intend to strike the first 
English they see. They have been on the march 
two days. I know not their number^ The 
Half King and the rest of the chiefs will be 
with you in five days to hold a council.'* 

That evening the French were reported only 
eighteen miles distant. The youthful comman- 
der therefore halted in a place called the Great 
Meadows and threw up hasty fortifications. 

Having been informed by the Half King that 
an advance guard of about fifty Frenchmen 
were lurking in the forest nearby, Washing- 
ton immediately set out by night with a band 
of men led by Indian scouts to drive off or cap- 
ture them. This was done with great prompt- 
ness. Jumonville (zhii moN vel ), the young 
French commander, was killed at the first of the 
attack. The balls fell thick around Washing- 
ton, but he escaped unhurt. Only one of his 



THE LIEUTENANT-COLONEL 41 

men was killed and two we:e wounded. Ten 
of the French were killed and twenty-one cap- 
tured. The prisoners were at once sent on to 
Governor Dinwiddie, at Winchester, and letters 
were forwarded to both Colonel Frye and the 
governors urging them to hurry to the front 
both men and supplies. 

It was afterwards claimed by the French that . 
Jumonville and his party had been sent forward 
by the commandant at Fort Du Quesne merely 
to meet Colonel Washington, to advise his re- 
turn, and to assure him that the French goveriT- 
ment would not consent to the building of a 
fort upon territory belongi^ig to France. If 
Jumonville had advanced on a mission of peace, 
it was very unfortunate that he did not approach 
Washington's camp under a flag of truce instead 
of lurking in the forest. The force was reported 
to Washington as the advance of the French 
army; and, as he had no reason to think other- 
wise, it became his duty to attack it. The 
affair created great excitement throughout Amer- '^ 
ica, France, and England; but under the cir- 
cumstances, no blame could be attached to 
Washington, 



42 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

But let us return to the camp at Great 
Meadows. Colonel Innes, who upon the death 
of Colonel Frye had succeeded to the com- 
mand, had not yet arrived. The promised sup- 
plies were not forwarded; and to make matters 
worse the Half King and forty or fifty warriors 
with their wives and children joined Washington. 
He completed the fort and called it Fort Neces- 
sity, from the hard times which had been ex- 
perienced while building it. His little army 
in the meantime was reinforced by one 
hundred and fifty men, who had been under 
Colonel Frye, and by an independent company 
of one hundred men from South Carolina. 

With these reinforcements Washington con- 
tinued his march to Redstone Creek. When 
about thirteen miles from Fort Necessity, the 
scouts reported that a large body of troops 
had been sent out from Fort Du Quesne to 
attack him. Coming to a halt, he held a council 
of war, in which it was thought best by all to 
retire before such superior numbers. A rapid 
retreat now began. Washington and his officers 
gave up their horses to aid in transporting the 
baggage and ammunition. 



THE LIEUTENANT-COLONEL 43 

When the httle army reached Fort Necessity 
the men were worn out by hunger and fatigue, 
and Washington was forced to halt contrary to 
his intentions. He sent back to Will's Creek 
for reinforcements and supplies; but before they 
could arrive, the fort was surrounded on July 
3 by five hundred French and one hundred 
Indians under Captain de Villiers (de ve ya'), 
who w^as anxious to avenge the death of his 
brother-in-law, Jumonville. 

Washington had exerted himself to the utmost 
to put the fort in a state of defense, felling trees 
and rolling logs for the barricade himself. 
When the French appeared, he drew up his 
little army outside of the fortifications to give 
battle, but the foe remained under cover of the 
forest, which was not more than sixty yards 
distant on one side of the fort. 

Washington then retired into the trenches 
and a fierce fight was kept up until eight in the 
evening. "Scarcely since the days of Leonidas 
and his three hundred deathless Spartans," says 
Trumbull, in his Indian Wars, ''had the sun 
beheld its equal. With hideous whoops and 
yells the enemy came on like a host of tigers. 



44 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

The wood and rocks and tall tree tops, as the 
Indians climbed into them to pour down their 
bullets into the fort, were in one continued 
blaze and crash of firearms." 

Nor were Washington and his brave Carolin- 
ians and Virginians idle. For full nine hours 
they fought with so much spirit that their little 
fort seemed like a volcano, roaring and flashing 
forth sheets of death-bearing flame. At eight 
o'clock De Villiers, discouraged by such re- 
sistance, sent a flag of truce offering to treat 
with Washington and his men on honorable 
terms. 

The situation in the fott had become desper- 
ate. A pouring rain had set in rendering many 
muskets unfit for use and filling the trenches 
with water; besides the ammunition was almost 
exhausted and the stock of provisions low. 

Knowing that further resistance was useless, 
Washington finally agreed to the terms pro- 
posed. His troops were to abandon the fort, 
but they were to be permitted to march away 
with all the honors of war, carrying with them 
their stores and baggage. He agreed also that 
the prisoners taken in the skirmish with Jumon- 




JIETjR^AT from gREAT MSAPQWS, f 46 } 



46 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



1 



ville should be returned. Captain Van Braam 
and Captain Stabo were to remain with the 
French as hostages until the prisoners should be 
restored to their countrymen. De Villiers had 
promised that the Indians should not molest 
the retreating forces. That promise, however, 
was not kept, for the savages pursued them and 
harassed them severely. 

When the regiment reached Williamsburg, 
a vote of thanks was given to Washington and 
his officers, and a pistole (about $3.60) was 
granted to each of the men who had undergone 
so many hardships. Though the expedition 
had failed, the bravery and good judgment of 
Washington were not questioned by his fellow- 
countrymen. 



THE AIDE-DE-CAMP 47 

CHAPTER I V 
THE AIDE-DE-CAMP 

After a brief rest Washington returned to his 
regiment which Governor Dinwiddie wished him 
to recruit to three hundred men. While he was 
doing this, the governor received information 
that the French had become less watchful at 
Fort Du Quesne and that it could easily be 
captured by a band of resolute men. Accord- 
ingly he decided to order a forced march across 
the mountains for the purpose of taking the 
fort at a single blow. He wrote Washington to 
set out at once for Will's Creek with such com- 
panies as were complete. 

Washington fully realized the rashness of such 
an expedition with so small a force at that season 
of the year, and be did not hesitate to express 
his opinion to his fr'end, William Fairfax, then 
a member of the House of Burgesses. The latter 
doubtless brought such influence to bear upon 
Governor Dinwiddie that the project was aban- 
doned. 

As the House of Burgesses had voted a grant 



48 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

of twenty thousand pounds for military purposes, 
the governor issued instructions that the army 
be increased to ten independent companies. 
Under this plan no officer could rank higher 
than a captain. "This regulation," says Irving, 
"drove Washington out of the service, for he 
thought derogatory to his character to accept a 
lower commission than that under which his 
conduct had gained him a vote of thanks from 
the legislature." 

Washington was also thoroughly vexed with 
Governor Dinwiddle because he refused to give 
up the French prisoners in accordance with the 
agreement made at Fort Necessity. He had 
tried in vain to persuade the governor to return 
the captives. Feeling keenly the governor's 
refusal, he resigned his commission and retired 
to private life. 

His first care was to visit his mother and ren- 
der her all the assistance due her from an eldest 
son. He then went to Mount Vernon, which 
upon the death of little Sarah, his brother's 
daughter, had become his property. Here he 
entered upon the duties and pleasures of a coun- 
try gentleman with the same zest with which he 



THE AIDE-DE-CAMP 49 

had gone to war. But he was not permitted 
to remain long in seclusion. 

The British government, at last aroused, de- 
termined to aid the colonies in resisting the 
advance of the French. Early in 1755 General 
Braddock and two regiments, each five hundred 
men strong with all the munitions of war, were 
sent to Virginia. 

Four expeditions had been planned by the 
British. The most important of them was 
against the French in the Ohio Valley. It was 
to be commanded by General Braddock in 
person. Fort Du Quesne was first to be reduced, 
after which he would proceed against Niagara 
and Frontenac. 

Alexandria was chosen as the place where the 
troops should disembark and be joined by the 
colonial soldiers and their Indian allies. There 
the troops would encamp and rest while all the 
details for their march through the wilderness 
could be arranged. 

From the heights of Mount Vernon, Washing- 
ton looked down upon the ships-of-war bristling 
with guns, and the troop ships swarming with 
red-coated soldiers as they passed up the Poto- 



50 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

mac to the place of encampment. The fighting 
spirit of his forefathers again seized him and 
he declared his desire to join the expedition. 
This desire was reported to General Braddock, 
who soon learned from Governor Dinwiddle and 
others that our hero, because of his character, 
his knowledge of the country, and his experience 
in frontier warfare, was the very man he needed 
to accompany him as an aide-de-camp in the 
coming war. 

When an invitation to join the general's 
staff arrived at Mount Vernon, Washington did 
not hesitate to accept it. As volunteer aide he 
would receive no pay and would be at great 
personal expense; on the other hand, his passion 
for military life could be gratified without loss 
of dignity; moreover, he longed for the opportu- 
nity of gain'ng military experience under the 
eye of so distinguished a commander as Brad- 
dock. He therefore went as soon as possible 
to Alexandria, where he was cordially received 
by Captain Orme and Captain Morris, the other 
aides of the general. 

General Braddock was also most courteous. 
Washington soon found, however, that he was 



THE AIDE-DE-CAMP 51 

a stern military man, very proud, and one of the 
sort that could be taught nothing new. He had 
great contempt for the lank, poorly equipped 
American troops who cut such a sorry figure 
by the side of the scarlet-coated English with 
their fine weapons and perfect drill. He would 
listen to no warnings of danger from Indian 
ambuscades. "The savages may be feared by 
raw American militia," he said, ''but they are 
not formidable to the king's regulars." 

After remaining at home for a few days to 
arrange his business, Washington hastened to 
Frederictown where he found affairs in great 
confusion. The horses and wagons which had 
been promised had not arrived ; neither was there 
a sufficient quantity of provisions for the men. 
In this dilemma, Benjamin Franklin, who had 
come to Frederictown to see General Braddock, 
undertook to furnish one hundred and fifty 
wagons, with four horses to each wagon, and 
fifteen hundred pack or saddle horses, all of 
which were to be delivered at Will's Creek by 
May 20. In the end these wagons and horses 
were lost and Franklin was sued by the owners. 
But the government at last paid the debt, 



52 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

which amounted to about one hundred thousand 
dollars. 

Having scoured the country around for pro- 
visions, Braddock set out for Will's Creek (Fort 
Cumberland) by way of Winchester. We are 
told that he travelled in great state in a chariot, 
and that when he reached Will's Creek, a salute 
of seventeen guns was fired in honor of his ar- 
rival. Says Irving, ''By the 19th of May all of 
the troops had arrived at Fort Cumberland, 
the two royal regiments, increased to fourteen 
hundred by men chosen from the Maryland and 
Virginia levies, two companies of carpenters, 
or pioneers, a company of guides, the troop of 
Virginia light-horse, commanded by Captain 
Stewart, the thirty sailors detached to assist 
in dragging the cannon over the mountains, and 
the remnants of two companies from New York, 
one of which was commanded by Captain 
Horatio Gates." 

A long halt was now made at Fort Cumber- 
land until the roads could be opened and sup- 
plies collected. In the meantime Washington 
was sent back to Williamsburg for four thousand 
pounds for the military chest- 



THE AIDE-DE-CAMP 53 

Upon his return he found General Braddock 
fretting because the horses and wagons had not 
arrived. Washington advised him to use, when- 
ever possible, packhorses Instead of wagons. 
But knowing as yet little about mountain roads, 
Braddock did not heed the advice. 

Another cause of anxiety was the desertion 
of his Indian allies. They complained that they 
were slighted In not being consulted in regard 
to the war; and one by one they disappeared 
from camp, until at last only nine warriors were 
left. 

At last, on June 10, the ill-fated expedition 
again began its onward march. The crossing 
of the mountains with the heavily ladened 
wagons was indeed a tremendous undertaking. 
When, on June 16, the army had reached 
Little Meadows, General Braddock had become 
so worn out and discouraged that he humbled 
himself sufficiently to ask the advice of Wash- 
ington as to the best manner of proceeding. 
The latter with great modesty advised him to 
divide his forces — to leave one part as a rear 
guard with the baggage, and with the other to 
hasten forward In person to attack the fort. 



54 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

This plan was adopted. It was decided that 
twelve hundred men and ten field pieces should 
form the first division. The ammunition and 
baggage were to be carried on packhorses. 
Washington gave up his best horse for the public 
service and never again heard of him. 

While the army was encamped at Little Mea- 
dows, Captain Jack, a famous Indian fighter, 
with his band of rangers made his appearance 
and offered the services of his men to General 
Braddock. The assistance of the scouts would 
have been invaluable to the general, but he 
replied with great haughtiness that he had 
experienced troops upon whom he could rely for 
all purposes. So Captain Jack and his rangers, 
highly indignant, shouldered their rifles and left 
the doomed commander to his fate. 

Once more, June 19, the first division of the 
army began its march. To Washington's dis- 
gust, however, it moved forward as slowly as 
before, taking four days to march twelve miles. 

Just at this time, Washington was taken with 
a fever, and had to be left behind with a guard 
and Dr. Craik at the great crossings of the 
Youghiogeny (yok'6 ga'ni) river. But he was 



THE AIDE-DE-CAMP 55 

impatient to be at the front, and as soon as he 
was able, he set off in a covered wagon and ar- 
rived at Braddock's camp on July 8. 

The army was now only seven miles from Fort 
Du Quesne, and arrangements were being made 
for the attack on the next day. Washington, 
who knew the nature of the country and the 
probability of an attack by Indians, begged that 
the Virginia rangers, being expert in savage war- 
fare, be placed in the advance. The request threw 
General Braddock into a great rage. He said 
that things had come to a strange pass when a 
young Virginian should presume to tell him, 
a British general, how to fight. 

Leaving the general, Washington, who was 
still weak from his illness, mounted his horse 
and joined the other staff officers. He soon for- 
got his wounded feelings in the splendid sight 
before him. The army was marching in perfect 
order along the bank of the Monongahela 
(mo non ga heia). He said afterwards that he 
had never seen anything more imposing than the 
march of the army on that bright morning. 
All were dressed in full uniform with bayonets 
fixed, colors flying, and drums beating. 



56 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

After crossing the river, the road led up a 
gradual ascent and on each side was a deep 
ravine, concealed by trees and underbrush. 
In front was a working party supported by a 
detachment of three hundred and fifty men un- 
der Lieutenant Colonel Gage (afterwards gen- 
eral). They had just begun to ascend the hill, 
and Braddock was about to follow with the main 
army, when very quick and heavy firing was 
heard in front. 

The two ravines before mentioned, after run- 
ning parallel to the road for some distance 
converged until they met, and just at this point 
the French attacked the advance guard of the 
English. As soon as the attack began, the 
French and Indians extended their lines down the 
ravines and thus from the bushes and trees 
poured a murderous fire upon the English. The 
advance guard was driven back upon a regiment 
which had just come up. The terrible warwhoop 
of the Indians was heard on right and left and 
from the front, and the experienced troops of 
Great Britain saw their brave comrades fall on 
all sides by shots from an invisible foe. 

Colonel Gage ordered his men to fix bayonets 



58 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

and form in line of battle. Then the order was 
given to charge and clear the ravines of the enemy, 
but not a man would obey. The whoops of the 
savages so terrified the soldiers that they shot 
wildly, killing some of their own men who were 
retreating from the front. 

In the meantime General Braddock ordered 
forward eight hundred men under Colonel Bur- 
ton, leaving four hundred to guard the artillery 
and baggage. As the uproar continued, he 
himself rode forward and arrived just as Colonel 
Burton was forming his men to charge. Just 
then the troops in front fell back in great con- 
fusion upon Burton's command, which also 
gave way. 

Braddock tried in vain to check the retreat; 
he ordered the officers to divide the troops into 
small bodies and to advance against the enemy. 
But neither entreaties nor commands could pre- 
vail upon the men to leave the main road. 

The Virginia rangers alone broke ranks and 
fought the savages in their own fashion. Wash- 
ington begged Braddock to post the regulars 
behind trees; but to the last he persisted in 
forming them into platoons so that they were 



THE AIDE-DE-CAMP 59 

shot down by the lurking foe as fast as they went 
forward. 

Throughout the deadly fray Washington 
displayed the greatest courage and presence of 
mind. The other aides had been wounded early 
in the action, and he alone was left to carry the 
orders of the general. Two horses were shot 
under him and four bullets passed through his 
coat. The Indians singled him out for death, 
but in vain. He rode on as if protected by 
enchantment. Not long after this battle, an 
Indian warrior is reported to have said that 
Washington was not born to be killed by a bullet; 
for he had seventeen fair shots at him with his 
rifle during the fight and yet could not kill him. 

At one time Washington was sent to bring the 
artillery into action. The Indians had extended 
down the ravines, flanking even the reserves, 
and there too the greatest confusion prevailed. 
The gunners were stricken with fear and refused 
to serve the guns. A well-directed fire upon the 
ravines might have saved the day. Washington 
dismounted and wheeled and fired a brass field- 
piece with his own hands, but his example was 
of no avail. 



60 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

In the meanwhile Braddock remained in the 
center of the field trying to rally his men. Five 
horses v/ere shot beneath him, but still he kept 
his ground hoping to turn the tide of battle. 
At last a ball struck his arm and passed through 
his lung. As he was being placed in a cart by 
Captain Stewart, he faintly asked Washington, 
''What is to be done?" 'We must retreat," 
was the reply. "The regulars will not fight 
and the rangers are nearly all dead." 

The order to retreat was now given, and the 
rout became general. Baggage, stores, and 
artillery were left behind. The flight continued 
after the Monongahela had been crossed. About 
one hundred men halted near the ford of the 
river where a hospital was established. Here 
Braddock was tenderly cared for. 

Washington was soon sent in haste to Colonel 
Dunbar, forty miles distant, who commanded 
the rear division, with orders to hurry forward 
wagons and supplies for the wounded. The 
tidings of the defeat, however, had preceded 
him and all was in confusion. Colonel Dunbar 
retreated after having destroyed stores and ar- 
tillery, worth not less than one hundred thousand 



THE AIDE-DE-CAMP 61 

pounds. Braddock died the fourth day after 
the battle, July 13, at the Great Meadow. 
Washington had returned from Dunbar's camp 
and was with him at the last. It is said that 
he expressed to Washington his regret at scorn- 
ing his advice during the campaign, and left 
to him his favorite charger and his faithful ser- 
vant Bishop. 

He was buried before the break of day, 
Washington read the burial service. Some his- 
torians tell us that the grave was purposely 
located in the middle of the road and that the 
retreating wagons were ordered to pass over it, 
so as to conceal his resting place from the savages. 
The spot is still pointed out by the residents of 
that locality. 

In this battle the English had twenty-six 
officers killed and thirty-seven wounded, and 
over seven hundred privates killed and wounded. 
The French had only three officers and thirty 
privates killed, and as many wounded. The 
destruction of the grand army, from which so 
much had been expected, caused much excite- 
ment throughout America and Great Britain, 
^nd reproach is still heaped upon the memory 



62 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

of poor Braddock for his obstinacy and military 
conceit. 

On July 17, 1755, Washington again reached 
Fort Cumberland, saddened by defeat and weak- 
ened by disease. After having been in service 
for two years, he found himself with a very little 
ready money and in bad health; yet the trying 
scenes through which he had passed proved to 
be a training-school to prepare liim for greater 
deeds. 



COMMANDER OF VIRGINIA TROOPS 63 

CHAPTER V 

THE COMMANDER OF THE VIRGINIA 
TROOPS 

The frontier of Virginia was now laid open to 
invasion, and though Washington was still 
suffering from ill health and the depressing 
effects of defeat, his military labors were not 
at an end. As adjutant-general of the northern 
district, it became his duty to put the frontier 
in a state of defense against the expected raids 
of the French and Indians. He Immediately 
Issued orders that the militia meet and drill, 
and that volunteer companies be formed. 

The House of Burgesses met and, thorough- 
ly alarmed, voted a grant of forty thousand 
pounds for defense. It also appointed George 
Washington commander-in-chief of all the Vir- 
ginia forces and voted him three hundred 
pounds for his services. 

As soon as his mother heard of his probable 
return to military life, she wrote begging him 
not to risk his life in another frontier war. He 
replied with great deference, but insisted that, if 



64 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

called by the voice of his country, it would be 
his duty to obey. 

It seems strange that a man who had already 
twice suffered defeat should have been intrusted 
with the defense of the Commonwealth. ''But," 
says a noted writer, ''it remains an honorable 
testimony of Virginia intelligence that the ster- 
ling, enduring, but undazzling qualities of Wash- 
ington were thus early appreciated, though only 
heralded by misfortune." 

Washington was indeed the hero of his 
people, not because he had been victorious, but 
because he had known how to bear defeat. 
Having consulted Governor Dinwiddle, he has- 
tened to Winchester, his headquarters. He then 
visited the frontier forts and took all possible 
measures of safety. 

Now happened an incident which \^ould 
have been ludicrous had it not been for the anxi- 
ety which it produced, and the evidence which 
it afforded of the state of panic prevailing along 
the frontier. Washington was on his way to 
Williamsburg, when he was overtaken by a mes- 
senger from Colonel Stephens, the commander 
at Fort Cumberland, bringing the news that a 



COMMANDER OF VIRGINIA TROOPS 65 

large body of Indians was advancing up the 
Shenandoah Valley burning and killing as they 
went. 

Washington returned in haste to Winches- 
ter, where he found the citizens in great distress 
and alarm. News had come that the Indians 
were only four miles distant. With about forty 
men, Washington sallied forth and found to his 
great relief that the supposed savages were only 
a few drunken troopers who had alarmed the 
people by yelling and firing off their pistols. 
The party of savages which had alarmed Colonel 
Stephens, had advanced but a short distance and 
then retreated across the Alleghany Mountains. 

Washington now bent all his energies to the 
defense of the frontier and the drilling and dis- 
cipline of both officers and men in the militia 
service. 

In the meantime a dispute arose between 
Maryland and Virginia as to the possession of 
Fort Cumberland. It was agreed that Major- 
General Shirley, who had succeeded Braddock 
in command of the king's forces, should deter- 
mine the matter, and Washington was ordered 
to Boston to obtain his decision. 



66 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

He set out for that place on horseback, ac- 
companied by his aides, Captain George Mer- 
cer, of Virginia, and Captain Stewart, of the 
Virginia Hght-horse. These officers traveled in 
great style on fine horses and attended by their 
negro servants attired in livery. Washington's 
commanding person, splendid horsemanship, and 
widespread reputation made him the lion of the 
party. 

Arriving at Boston, he explained his mis- 
sion to General Shirley, who decided that Fort 
Cumberland belonged to the king; and that, as 
Washington was a field officer, he outranked 
the Maryland captain, who claimed the com- 
mand of the fort. So Fort Cumberland was 
again placed under the command of Washing- 
ton. 

As he passed through New York City, he 
met at the house of a friend Miss Mary Philipse, 
a lovely wom.an, whose fortune was said to equal 
her beauty. It is certain that she gained 
Washington's admiration, and by some it is 
claimed that he offered her his hand in marriage 
and was refused. It is more probable, however, 
that he was called away by military duties be- 





LEAVING MOUNT VERNON 



[67] 



68 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

fore his suit had progressed far enough to war- 
rant a proposal. Be that as It may, It Is re- 
corded In the chronicles of the times that 
Captain Morris, his former fellow aide to 
Braddock, finally carried off the rich prize. 

Although for about two years the French 
and the English colonies had been at war, It 
was not until May, 1756, that war was openly 
declared by Great Britain against France. The 
conflict In America, known In history as the 
French and Indian War, now burst forth with 
renewed violence. In this sketch only those 
movements In which our hero took part will be 
mentioned. 

The year 1756 was one of great trouble and 
trial to Washington. As laws relating to the 
militia service were not strict, the commander- 
in-chief had much trouble in raising troops to 
garrison the forts and to drive off the savages. 
He was also much worried by the obstinacy of 
Governor Dinwiddle, who Insisted upon keep- 
ing a garrison at Fort Cumberland. According 
to Washington's opinion, that fort, being in 
Maryland, was too far removed from the track 
of the Indians to protect Virginia. He sue- 



COMMANDER OF VIRGINIA TROOPS 69 

ceeded, however, in building a strong fort at 
Winchester, which was called Fort Loudoun 
(lou'dun). 

In 1757 Washington attended a meeting 
in Philadelphia between Lord Loudoun, the 
British commander-in-chief, and the Southern 
governors. At this meeting he set forth the de- 
fects in the militia laws of Virginia and sub- 
mitted several plans which he wished adopted. 
Only one of his measures was carried — that of 
giving up Fort Cumberland to Maryland, and 
making Fort Loudoun at Winchester the center 
of operations in Virginia. 

The great plan of operations outlined at 
Philadelphia by Lord Loudoun, the details of 
which are told in general history, was an utter 
failure, for Montcalm (montkam'), the French 
general, proved himself more than a match for 
his British opponents. 

While these disastrous events were happening, 
Washington .was defending three hundred and 
fifty miles of the frontier with only seven hundred 
men. So great were the toils and anxieties of 
his situation that he was again seized by disease 
and was forced to retire for a time to Mount 



70 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

Vernon. In consequence of his ill health, he 
thought of resigning his commission. Just 
then Governor Dinwiddle's term of office ex- 
pired and he was succeeded by Mr. Francis 
Fauquier. Mr. Pitt, who was now made prime 
minister of England, adopted many measures 
satisfactory to Washington, and, as his health 
was improving, he resumed his command at 
Fort Loudoun early in April, 1758. 

To his great delight, the reduction of Fort 
Du Quesne was now determined upon. He was 
ordered to march with two Virginia regiments, 
nineteen hundred strong, and join the expedition 
under General Forbes, who was collecting 
troops at Raystown, in Pennsylvania. 

While assembling his forces at Winchester, 
he found them in need of both arms and cloth- 
ing. As letters to the authorities at Williams- 
burg were of no avail, he went there in person 
to procure the necessary equipments. 

While on the journey he was invited to dine 
at the home of Mr. Chamberlayne, on the 
Pamunkey river. There he met a young and 
lovely widow, Mrs. Martha Custis, daughter of 
Mr. John Dandridge. Her husband, Mr. Cus- 



COMMANDER OF VIRGINIA TROOPS 71 

tis, a man of great wealth, had died three years 
before, leaving her with two small children. 

Washington seemed to be enchanted by the 
charms of the beautiful widow. According to 
orders, Bishop, his military servant, led the 
horses around to the door as soon as the noon- 
tide meal was over; but his master lingered at 
the shrine of beauty. The horses pawed and 
champed their bits, impatient to be off, and 
Bishop wondered at the delay. At last the 
steeds were ordered back to the stable, and not 
until the next morning did Washington resume 
his journey to Williamsburg. 

This time he was no ''laggard in love." 
His stay at Williamsburg was short, but before 
he returned to his command, he had wooed 
and won the fair widow. It was agreed that 
their marriage should take place the next winter. 
Saying farewell to his betrothed, he again set 
out for Winchester, where he arrived July 
2, 1758. 

The war in the North had been favorable to 
the English, and the French had been compelled 
to reduce the garrison at Fort Du Quesne. So 
Washington was impatient to press on, feeling 



72 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

confident that the fort could now be taken. 
But it was not until September that he received 
marching orders from General Forbes, who had 
been detained at Philadelphia by illness. 

When about fifty miles from Fort Du 
Quesne, General Forbes, contrary to the advice 
of Washington, sent a body of eight hundred 
picked troops under Major Grant to reconnoiter 
the country. This detachment was ambushed 
and routed with great slaughter. The Virginia 
regiment which had been sent forward under 
Major Andrew Lewis, lost in the fight six officers 
and sixty-two privates. 

Washington, after having been publicly com- 
plimented upon the bravery of his men, was 
now chosen to lead the van and to throw out 
scouting parties to repel any attacks of the sav- 
ages. Thus tardily were the soldierly qualities 
of Colonel Washington recognized by a British 
general. All went well with the advance 
guard. When it was within one day's march of 
the fort, the French commander embarked his 
men at night in boats, set fire to the fort, and 
floated down the Ohio. 

The next day the colonial and British troops 



COMMANDER OF VIRGINIA TROOPS 73 

marched up to the deserted fort and Wash- 
ington planted the flag of England upon the 
smouldering ruins. The power of the French in 
the Ohio Valley was now broken, and the Indian 
tribes of that region hastened to make treaties of 
peace with the English. 

During Washington's absence upon the last 
campaign, he had been elected to the House of 
Burgesses by the voters of Frederick county. 
At the close of the year, he gave up his commis- 
sion and retired from military life. 

On January 6, 1759, his marriage with Mrs. 
Custis was celebrated with all the pomp of 
colonial style. The writers of the times failed 
to record the place where the marriage was per- 
formed. Though they gave minute descriptions 
of the costumes imported from London, of the 
bride and groom, of the bridal party, and of the 
coach-and-six, in which the bride rode after the 
ceremony, with the groom following on his fa- 
vorite charger, they failed to say whether the cere- 
mony took place at church or at the bride's home, 
the historic White House on the Pamunkey river. 



74 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

CHAPTER VI 
THE LEGISLATOR AND PLANTER 

Soon after his marriage, Washington went to 
WilHamsburg, and took his seat in the House 
of Burgesses. Mr. Robinson, the speaker, took 
occasion to thank him pubhcly for his distin- 
guished services to his country. Rising to 
reply, Washington blushed, stammered, and 
was too much overcome to utter a word. **Sit 
down, Mr. Washington," said the speaker, 
"your modesty equals your valor, and that sur- 
passes the power of any language I possess.** 
So graceful an apology for his weakness could 
not help placing the youthful statesman at 
his ease. 

Washington was now only twenty-seven years 
old. His figure was commanding and his face 
handsome. The life which he had led in the open 
air had given a ruddy hue to his cheeks and vigor 
to his movements, and thought and resolution 
were written upon his brow. Such was tha 
man who now retired to the quiet of domestic life 



THE LEGISLATOR AND PLANTER 75 

after a youth devoted to promoting the safety 
and growth of his beloved Virginia. 

Washington's Hfe was still a busy one. Be- 
sides his own plantation of Mount Vernon, he 
had in charge the large landed estates of his 
wife and her two children. We are told by 
Irving that he rose early, often before daylight 
when the nights were long; then he would kindle 
his own fire and read or write until breakfast. 
After breakfast he visited on horseback the 
various parts of the plantation where work was 
going on, often assisting with his own hands. 
He dined at two o'clock. He took tea, of which 
he w^as very fond, early in the evening and re- 
tired for the night about nine o'clock. 

From a private wharf on the Potomac river, 
he shipped the produce of his plantation to 
various ports. He also kept upon the river a 
fine barge, which was rowed by six stalwart 
negroes. The flour ground at his mill at Mount 
Vernon was famous in its day. The mill still 
stands, but it is in such a ruinous condition 
that visitors are forbidden to enter it. 

Washington was an active member of the 
Masonic order, and belonged to the lodge at 



76 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

Alexandria. He was also vestryman of two 
churches, Fairfax and Truro, and was a devout 
Christian. Both Mrs. Washington and himself 
attended regularly the Episcopal church. 

With all his duties Washington found time 
for recreation. He was fond of fishing, hunting, 
and riding. He was not averse to dancing, 
and was particularly fond of theatrical exhibi- 
tions. The family would sometimes go to 
Williamsburg and enter upon the round of 
pleasures and hospitalities for which that far- 
famed city was noted. The situation of Mount 
Vernon and the reputation of its owner brought 
many visitors to his home w^here they were en- 
tertained with true Virginia hospitality. Mrs. 
Washington and her lady visitors rode in a 
chariot and four, with black postilions in livery, 
but Washington always appeared on horseback. 

His entire time, however, was not given to his 
personal affairs, for as judge of the county court 
and merhber of the House of Burgesses, he was 
still actively employed in public life. 

In behalf of a company of enterprising gentle- 
men, he undertook to explore the Dismal Swamp 
with a view to draining it and rendering it fit 




VIRGINIA PLANTATION WHARF 



[77i| 



78 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

for cultivation. This great marsh in the south- 
eastern part of Virginia is about thirty miles 
long and ten miles wide. With his usual energy 
and boldness, he penetrated its dark and dismal 
recesses and found in the center of it the ''Lake 
of the Dismal Swamp," a sheet of water six 
miles long and three miles broad. The follow- 
ing winter the company for which he had made 
the explorations was chartered by the Virginia 
legislature as the Dismal Swamp Company. 
This company soon began improvements based 
upon his discoveries and suggestions. 

In 1763 a treaty between France and England 
closed the bloody French and Indian War. 
Settlers again began to push out into the western 
wilds. Peace and prosperity now smiled upon 
the colonies, and it was hoped that savage war- 
fare was at an end. The conspiracy of Pontiac, 
however, again deluged the frontier settlements 
with blood ; and scarcely had the uprising been 
quelled, when trouble arose with the mother 
country. 

The recent war in America had cost Great 
Britain large sums of money, and the govern- 
ment now thought that the colonies should help 



THE LEGISLATOR AND PLANTER 79 

to pay the heavy debt. Accordingly, in 1764, 
Mr. Grenville, who was then at the head of the 
government, informed the American agents 
in London that he should introduce during the 
next session of Parliament a bill for taxing 
America — which tax was to begin with certain 
stamp duties. 

This raised a howl of indignation throughout 
the colonies. Massachusetts, New York, and 
Virginia each sent addresses to the king and 
Parliament protesting against such treatment. 
In March, 1765, however, the act was passed. 
It required that all deeds, bonds, and business 
papers of every description should be written 
upon stamped paper brought from the British 
government. It was also provided that any 
violation of this law should be tried without 
a jury by any royal court throughout the col- 
onies. 

Previous to the passage of the Stamp Act, the 
Navigation Laws (1660) had closed the ports 
of the colonies to foreign vessels and compelled 
them to trade only with England in English 
ships. The trade between the colonies was also 
subject to duties; and all manufactures that 



80 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



1 



competed with those of England were either 
suppressed or made to pay heavy taxes. In 1760 
an attem.pt had been made to collect duties on 
sugar, molasses, and rum imported into the 
colonies from the West Indies. To assist officers 
in collecting these duties, a kind of search-war- 
rant, called '\vrit of assistance," had been 
authorized. With one of these in hand, any 
petty constable could enter any place searching 
for and seizing goods which were suspected of 
being contraband. 

The enforcement of these laws produced 
great excitement, particularly in New England 
where most of the importing was carried on. 
In 1761 James Otis, and two years later Samuel 
Adams, made powerful speeches showing that 
the American colonies should not be taxed un- 
less they were allowed to send representatives 
to Parliament. 

In the meanwhile vessels of the British navy 
hovered around the coast, and almost destroyed 
the trade with the West Indies by seizing a 
large number of merchantmen bearing cargoes 
of sugar and spirits. 

All of these proceedings had been pronounced 



THE LEGISLATOR AND PLANTER 81 

unjust and tyrannical, but the news of another 
method of taxation, the Stamp Act, was Hke 
a spark of fire in a magazine of powder. "The 
very night," says the historian Botta, ''that the 
Stamp Act was passed, Doctor FrankHn, who 
was then in London, wrote to Charles Thompson, 
afterward secretary of Congress, 'The sun of 
liberty is set; the Americans must light the lamps 
of industry and economy.' To which Mr. 
Thompson answered, 'Be assured we shall light 
torches of quite another sort!' " 

The resistance to the Stamp Act began in 
Virginia, whose people at once declared it an 
outrage upon their rights. In the House of 
Burgesses, Patrick Henry introduced five reso- 
lutions which declared that the legislature of 
Virginia alone had power to tax its people; and 
In the discussion which followed made an elo- 
quent speech for colonial rights, closing with 
these warning words: "Caesar had his Brutus, 
Charles I his Cromwell, and George the Third" — 
'Treason! treason!' resounded from the chair — 
**may profit by their examples," added Henry. 
*'Sir, if this be treason, make themostof it." The 
resolutions were passed with some modifications. 



82 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

Lieutenant-Governor Fauquier, amazed at 
the boldness of the assembly, dissolved it, and 
the delegates returned to their homes; but the 
war cry of freedom had been sounded and soon 
it reechoed from Maine to Georgia. 

Washington, from his seat in the assembly, 
had heard the speech of Henry and had returned 
home deeply interested in public affairs. From 
letters to friends in England and his agents 
there who attended to the selling of his tobacco 
and the shipping of goods in return, we see that 
he had fully determined to oppose all taxation. 
To be brief, the colonists now gave the British 
government to understand that they would 
never submit to pay the stamp duty unless 
compelled by force of arms; and on March 18, 
1766, the act was repealed. 

Various other acts of Parliament continued 
to give causes of complaint. Duties were im- 
posed on tea, glass, pasteboard, lead, and tin. 
The Mutiny Act was also extended to America, 
and a clause was added requiring the provincial 
assemblies to provide the British troops with 
quarters and to furnish them with fire, beds, 
candles, and other necessaries. The assembly 



THE LEGISLATOR AND PLANTER 83 

of New York refused to carry out this law, and 
its power was at once suspended by Parliament. 

In 1769 George Mason, a friend of Washing- 
ton, drafted the plan of an association, the mem- 
bers of. which were to pledge themselves not to 
use any article upon which a tax was placed. 
This paper Washington promised to present 
to the House of Burgesses when it convened in 
May. 

Lord Botetourt, who had recently come over 
from England, opened this session of the legisla- 
ture with great pomp, riding from his palace 
to the capitol in a coach and four and making 
his speech as if he were a king. The members 
then passed resolutions denouncing the imposi- 
tion of taxes and protesting against the trial of 
any person outside of his own colony. 

Lord Botetourt was filled with wrath at the 
passage^ of these resolutions and the next day 
at high noon dissolved the House. But the 
members, filled with firm resolve, adjourned to 
a private house, elected Peyton Randolph 
chairman, and proceeded to business. 

Washington now brought forward the draft 
of the pledge drawn up by George* Mason. This 



84 LIFE OF WASHINGTON ^^ 

was signed by all present and sent throughout 
the country. The signers pledged themselves 
neither to import nor use any goods taxed by 
Parliament. This pledge was rigorously kept 
by Washington who directed his agents in Lon- 
don to send him nothing upon which a tax was 
levied. 

Washington and other fine gentlemen put 
on homespun American clothes, and the ladies 
gave up their much-loved tea-drinking. His 
only sister, Elizabeth or Betty, had married 
Colonel Fielding Lewis, of Fredericksburg, who 
was an ardent patriot. Colonel Lewis was such 
a violent partisan of liberty that he could not 
endure to have tea used by the ladies of his 
family, so he locked up all that he could lay 
hands on. Mrs. Betty, however, must have 
reserved some; for one day, becoming very, very 
thirsty and forgetting her patriotism, she brought 
out her tea-caddy and was enjoying a cup of tea 
with a lady friend when her husband appeared 
upon the scene. Mrs. Lewis used to be very fond 
of telling how quickly their innocent mirth was 
changed to mortification, and how they prom- 
ised never again to break the pledge. 



THE LEGISLATOR AND PLANTER 85 

We are told by George Washington Parke 
Custis in his memoirs of Washington that Mrs. 
Lewis was a most majestic looking woman and 
so strikingly like her brother that it was a 
matter of frolic to throw a cape around her and 
to place a military hat on her head in order to 
intensify the likeness. Then she resembled her 
illustrious brother so much that battalions 
would have presented arms and senates risen 
to do homage to the chief. 

In 1770 W^ashington made another journey to 
the Ohio Valley. This time his mission was 
a peaceful one. He had been appointed one of 
the Virginia commissioners to settle the military 
debt of the colony, and in company with his 
friend, Dr. Craik, he crossed the mountains and 
transacted the business to the satisfaction of all 
concerned. In 1774 he again visited the Ohio 
region for the purpose of exploring a route for 
a road to connect the Potomac and Youghiogheny 
rivers. 

Upon his return, he found Miss Custis ex- 
tremely ill. Her health, which had always been 
delicate, at last succumbed to the ravages of 
consumption and she expired on June 19, 1773. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



1 



This was a heavy blow to both Washington 
and his wife. All their hopes now centered in 
her son, John Parke Custis. This young man, 
being also of frail constitution and having a large 
fortune in his own right, was allowed to follow 
his inclinations more than Washington, his 
guardian, thought proper. His mother, of 
course, indulged her only son, and w^hen he an- 
nounced his engagement to Miss Calvert, daugh- 
ter of Benedict Calvert, she at once gave her 
consent. Washington, seeing that opposition 
was useless, also yielded, and the young people 
were married on Feb. 3, 1774 — before the 
bridegroom had reached his majority. 

In the meanwhile. Governor Dunmore had 
succeeded Botetourt, and public affairs were 
going from bad to worse. The tax upon tea 
still remained and the people still refused to use 
it. In order to reduce the large amount of tea 
thus left stored up in its w^arehouses, the East 
India Company, being exempt from export 
duties, sent large shiploads of tea to various 
American ports to be sold at a low price hoping 
thereby to induce the people to buy it. But 
the Import tax was still upon the tea and the peo- 



THE LEGISLATOR AND PLANTER 87 

pie were angry at this attempt to force them 
to pay it. 

At Boston, citizens disguised as Indians, 
boarded the ships at night and threw the tea 
into the waters of the bay. At Wihrtington, N. 
C, a vessel loaded with tea was boarded in the 
open day by a band of resolute patriots who 
threw the whole cargo into the sea. At An- 
napolis, Md., the ship, Peggy Stewart, was burned 
with her entire cargo of tea. In fact, the people 
were determined to show Great Britain that 
they would not buy articles which were taxed. 

The "Boston tea party," as it was called, so 
enraged the British government that a bill called 
the Boston Port Bill was at once passed by 
Parliament. This bill closed the port of that 
city to all commerce on June 1, 1774. Nor was 
this all. Another law altered the charter of the 
commonwealth and decreed that its governor, 
judges, and magistrates should be appointed 
by the king. Still another provided that any 
person indicted for a capital offense should be 
tried either in England or in some colony other 
than the one in which it was committed. 

In Virginia, the House of Burgesses convened 



88 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

in May. The rich planters and the legislators 
had arrived with their families, and the town|' 
of Williamsburg was preparing for a ball in 
honor of Lady Dunmore, who had just arrived 
from England. Just at this time a letter came 
announcing that the port of Boston would be 
closed on June 1 . This news came like a flash 
of lightning from a clear sky. Nothing else 
was talked of. The House entered a protest, 
and a resolution was adopted making the first 
of June a day of fasting and prayer. 

The next morning, May 25, the House was 
dissolved by Lord Dunmore. The members 
dispersed only to meet again in Apollo Hall in 
old Raleigh tavern. There they passed even 
stronger resolutions against King George HI 
and his Parliament. They also proposed that a 
general congress of all the colonies be held and 
that the delegates elected to the next House 
of Burgesses should meet in Williamsburg on 
August 1, and appoint deputies to this general 
congress, to be held in Philadelphia. 

The ball in honor of Lady Dunmore came off 
as planned (May 27, 1774). The rebellious Bur- 
gesses bowed low before Lord Dumore and his 



THE LEGISLATOR AND PLANTER 89 

lady, and danced the stately minuet to the 
strains of witching music; but when the dance 
was over and the lights were out, they turned 
to weightier matters. 

The first of June was observed throughout 
Virginia as a day of fasting and prayer to im- 
plore that "God would arrest the evils which 
threatened, and give them one heart and one 
mind firmly to oppose, by all just and proper 
means, every injury to American rights.'* Flags 
draped in crepe were hung at half-mast and 
funeral bells were tolled. 

Washington states in his diary that he kept 
the fast and attended divine services. Being 
well-informed about military affairs, he must 
have been fully alive to the odds against the 
colonies. Less than three million people were 
preparing to oppose the most powerful nation 
of the world. They were without money and 
the munitions of war, and could rely only 
upon their own brave hearts and the help of 
God. But they had thrown down the gauntlet 
and were resolved not to endure taxation unless 
they were allowed to send representatives to 
Parliament. Washington, with many others, 



90 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

hoped that the misery produced in Great Britain 
by the refusal of the colonies to buy British goods 
would lead Parliament to a sense of justice 
before too late. 

Events succeeded each other in rapid succes- 
sion. The proposed convention met at Williams- 
burg on Aug. 1, 1774. It was composed of the 
best men of Virginia. In presenting the resolu- 
tions passed in his county of Fairfax, Washing- 
ton made a truly patriotic speech. '*I am 
ready," said he, ''to raise one thousand men at 
my own expense and march to the relief of 
Boston." 

The delegates appointed from Virginia to the 
general Congress were Peyton Randolph, Ben- 
jamin Harrison, Patrick Henry, Richard Bland, 
Richard Henry Lee, Edmund Pendleton, and 
Geo rgc Wa sh i n g to n . 

On Monday, Sept. 5, 1774, the first Conti- 
nental Congress met at Philadelphia. "It is 
such an assemi)ly," wTote John Adams, "as 
never before came together of a sudden in any 
part of the world." All of the colonies were 
represented except Georgia. The action of 
this Congress was calm and deliberate. Pevton 



THE LEGISLATOR AND PLANTER 91 

Randolph was elected president and Charles 
Thompson, secretary. 

One address was sent to the king, a second to 
the English people, and a third to the people of 
Canada. The colonists were not yet ready for 
independence, but they asked a redress of 
grievances. They also resolved to hold no 
commercial intercourse with Great Britain. 

Patrick Henry, upon being asked whom he 
considered the greatest man in the Congress, said, 
*'If you speak of eloquence, Mr. Rutledge, of 
South Carolina, is by far the greatest orator; 
but if you speak of solid information and sound 
judgment. Colonel Washington is by far the 
greatest man on that floor." This testimony 
from so great a man speaks volumes for Wash- 
ington. 

At the close of Congress, Washington lost 
no time in returning to Mount Vernon, for Mrs. 
Washington was alone and impatient at his 
continued absence. 

Meanwhile events moved rapidly in Massa- 
chusetts. A fleet and ten thousand soldiers had 
been sent from England to General Gage at 
Boston, with orders to reduce the colonists by 



92 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

force. Boston Neck^was seized by the British 
and the mihtary stores at Cambridge and Char- 
lestown were removed to Boston, and the legisla- 
ture was ordered to disperse. Instead of obey- 
ing this order, however, the members voted to 
raise and equip an army of twelve thousand men, 
and also sent a protest to General Gage calling 
him to account for his actions. 

The news of the state of affairs at Boston 
spread throughout the colonies, and, making 
common cause with that long-suffering town, 
they flew to arms. In Virginia during the 
winter and spring of 1775, Washington was fre- 
quently called from home to review companies 
of volunteers and give them military advice. 

In March, 1775, he attended as a delegate 
from Fairfax the second Virginia convention, 
which was held in St. John's church, Richmond. 
There Patrick Henry delivered the grandest 
of all his orations, ending with these words, 
"Give me liberty, or give me death!" He suc- 
ceeded by his eloquence in carrying his resolu- 
tions that "steps should be taken for embody- 
ing, arming, and disciplining the militia." 
Washington sided with Patrick Henry and was 



THE LEGISLATOR AND PLANTER 93 

one of a committee that drew up a plan for pro- 
viding for the defense of the colony. 

On April IS, a British force marched out of 
Boston to destroy at Concord some arms and 
ammunition that belonged to the colony. Early 
next morning a company of armed colonists, 
known as *'minute-men," met the British ad- 
vance-guard at Lexington. The British opened 
fire and in a short time the colonists were dis- 
persed with a loss of sixteen killed or wounded. 
The British marched on to Concord where they 
had a skirmish with another band of minute- 
men. After destroying five hundred pounds of 
bullets at Concord, they retreated, closely pur- 
sued to Boston. Men now armed themselves 
and flocked to that city. Within a few days an 
army of ten thousand patriotic soldiers had sur- 
rounded it and were threatening to cut off 
the British army from provisions. 

The news of the battle of Lexington was car- 
ried speedily throughout all the colonies and 
the whole country was fired with the "passion 
of war." The news reached Virginia at a time 
when she was involved in trouble similar to 
that of Massachusetts. Lord Dunmore had 



94 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

seized upon all the powder in the "Old Magazine'* 
at WilHamsburg, and removed it to the man-of- 
war Magdalen, lying in the James river. Patrick 
Henry advanced towards the capital at the head 
of a band of resolute men, and Dunmore, in 
terror, paid three hundred and thirty pounds 
for the powder. He and his family at last took 
refuge on board the man-of-war Fowey and 
never returned to Williamsburg. 

Washington was preparing to attend the meet- 
ing of the second Congress at Philadelphia, 
when the tidings from Lexington reached him. 
Joining a rebellion against the mother country 
would be a great risk for a man of his wealth 
and influence, but he did not hesitate in his 
choice. He declared that he was a foe to all 
tyranny and that he was ready to die for the 
cause of liberty. 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 95 

CHAPTER VII 

THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 

On May 10, 1775, the second Continental 
Congress met at Philadelphia. As Peyton Ran- 
dolph, the president, was obliged to return to 
Virginia as speaker of the Virginia assembly, 
John Hancock, of Massachusetts, was chosen 
to succeed him as its presiding officer. 

One of the first measures of this Congress 
was to send another petition to the king. 
The mother country was still dear to the hearts 
of the colonists, and they yet hoped for con- 
cessions from the British government. But 
this hope was blasted when news came that re- 
inforcements for the British had reached Bos- 
ton and that on June 12 General Gage had 
proclaimed martial law in Massachusetts, and 
offered pardon to all who would return to their 
allegiance, except John Hancock and Samuel 
Adams. < 

John Adams was now for "prompt and 
vigorous action." He headed the war party 
and, influenced by his eloquence. Congress be- 



96 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

gan to prepare for the coming conflict. A fed- 
eral union of the colonies was formed. In this 
union each colony had charge of its own affairs; 
but to Congress was given the right of making 
peace or war, of regulating commerce, and of 
enacting laws for the common safety. 

Just here, it is proper to note the weakness 
of the federation with which our nation began 
its existence. Under the agreement, Congress 
could collect neither revenues nor supplies 
necessary for carrying on war. These impor- 
tant functions were left to the individual colo- 
nies; therefore. Congress and Washington, as 
we shall see, were constantly hindered and har- 
assed by this fatal defect in the government, 
which has often been called ''no government at 
all." 

Congress next voted to raise and equip an 
army of twenty thousand men and to issue 
notes to the value of three millions of dollars, 
bearing the inscription, 'The United Colonies." 
The question of filling the important post of 
commander-in-chief was then taken up, and 
the eyes of all at once turned to Washington. 
Several delegates, however, thought that a New 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 97 

England man should be chosen. The army 
encamped around Boston was composed chiefly 
of men from that section of the country and it 
seemed most fitting to select one of the dis- 
tinguished men already in command. The 
matter was postponed until June 15, when 
John Adams rose and in an eloquent speech pro- 
posed that Congress appoint George Washing- 
ton, of Virginia, commander-in-chief. The vote 
was then taken and he was unanimously elected. 

When, the result was announced, Washing- 
ton arose and made a brief speech, closing with 
these words: ''I beg it may be remembered by 
every gentleman in the room that I this day de- 
clare that I do not think myself equal to the 
command. As to pay, I beg leave to assure 
the Congress that as no pecuniary considera- 
tion could have tempted me to accept this ardu- 
ous employment to the expense of my domestic 
ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any 
profit of it. I will keep an exact account of my 
expenses. Those, I doubt not, you will dis- 
charge, and that is all I desire." 

A noted writer says of Washington: ''He 
was now in the vigor of his days, forty-three 



98 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

years of age, stately in person, noble in his 
demeanor, calm and dignified in his deport- 
ment; as he sat on his horse with manly grace, 
his military presence delighted every eye, and 
wherever he went, the air rang with acclama- 
tions." 

As it was necessary for the commander-in- 
chief to set out at once for the army around 
Boston, he could not return to Mount Vernon. 
This is a part of a letter which he wrote to 
Mrs. Washington just before starting on his 
journey: ''I shall rely confidently upon that 
Providence which has heretofore preserved and 
been bountiful to me. I shall feel no pain from 
the toil or danger of the campaign. My 
unhappiness will flow from the uneasiness I 
know you will feel from being left alone. I, 
therefore, beg that you will summons 3^our whole 
fortitude and pass your time as agreeably as 
possible. Nothing will give me so much sincere 
satisfaction as to hear this and to have it from 
your own pen." 

Our curiosity as to Mrs. Washington's mind 
upon the subject is satisfied by the follow- 
ing extract from a letter to a friend: ''Yes, 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 99 

I foresee consequences, dark days and darker 
nights. But my mind is made up; my heart is 
in the cause. George is right; he is always 
right." 

While Congress had been adopting these 
measures of defense, stirring events had taken 
place in the North. The forts of Ticonderoga 
and Crown Point, which commanded commu- 
nications with Canada, had been captured by 
Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen, and vast 
military stores had fallen into the hands of the 
Americans. At Boston, the battle of Bunker 
Hill had been fought on June 17, 1775. Though 
this battle was a victory for the British, it had 
greatly encouraged the Americans. The result 
had proved that the colonial militia, armed with 
their own rifles and fighting without discipline, 
were able to cope with the veteran troops of 
Great Britian; and from the blood of the slain 
patriots sprang a brighter hope of liberty. The 
news of this battle aroused great enthusiasm 
throughout the colonies. Everywhere the cry 
was repeated, "To arms! to arms!" 

Washington set out from Philadelphia on 
horseback on June 21, 1775, accompanied by 



100 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

Major- Generals Lee and Schuyler (skF ler). 
They had gone scarcely twenty miles when they 
met a courier coming posthaste to inform Con- 
gress of the battle of Bunker Hill. Washing- 
ton listened with great interest to the tidings 
and inquired into all the particulars. When 
told that the Americans had not retreated until 
their ammunition was exhausted, he exclaimed, 
''The liberties of our country are safe!'* 

As Washington hurried onward, he was re- 
ceived w^th the greatest honor, and the most 
distinguished persons formed themselves into 
a bodyguard to escort him. The assemblies 
of both New York and Massachusetts went to 
meet him and to express their joy at his election. 
He answered with his usual modesty. From 
these speeches it is plainly to be seen that Wash- 
ington at that time did not aim at independence, 
but merely desired an honorable peace. 

He arrived at Cambridge on July 2. As 
he entered the camp, the shouts of the soldiers 
and the booming of cannon informed the be- 
sieged British that some wonderful event had 
happened. 

In the midst of these acclamations Washing- 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 101 

ton realized more than ever the greatness of 
his undertaking. He found the American army 
of fourteen thousand men "a. multitude of 
people under very little discipline," scattered in 
rough encampments around the city for a dis- 
tance of about twelve miles. The army was 
scantily provided with arms and equipment and 
its operations were greatly delayed by a want of 
skillful engineers. 

On the other hand, the Britivsh army, ten 
thousand strong, provided with all the muni- 
tions of war, was perfectly drilled and disci- 
plined. It was also protected by powerful 
ships-of-war and fortifications constructed with 
the greatest skill. 

Washington took formal command on July 
3, 1775. His presence immediately infused 
great energy into the army. His engineering 
skill was brought into use, and new forts were 
thrown up and the lines so extended that it be- 
came impossible for the British to cut through 
them. 

In the midst of these preparations Wash- 
ington found out that his ammunition was near- 
ly exhausted. Couriers on swift horses were 



102 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

at once sent to various places begging immediate 
supplies of powder and lead. Meanwhile it 
seemed almost marvelous that the British did 
not find out the state of affairs in the Ameri- 
can camp and make an assault before supplies 
came. For nearly two weeks Washington suf- 
fered the greatest anxiety. Supplies were then 
forwarded from the Jerseys and other places. 

Washington now directed his attention to 
the expedition being sent into Canada by way 
of the Kennebec river. In the hope of per- 
suading the people of that province to join the 
Americans in their struggle for liberty, Congress 
had formed a plan of sending a force to take 
Quebec. The main expedition under General 
Montgomery was to proceed by way of Lake 
Champlain; the other under General Benedict 
Arnold, by way of the Kennebec river. 

Arnold's troops were detached by Washing- 
ton from the army at Cambridge and consisted 
of ten companies of New England infantry 
and Daniel Morgan's mounted riflemen from 
the Valley of Virginia. It is not important to 
give here the details of this ill-fated expedition. 
Suffice it to say that, though well planned and 




fp^. 





104 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

boldly executed, it was in the end an utter 
failure. 

After the departure of Arnold, attention was 
given to the enlistment of a new army. None 
of the soldiers in the American army were 
enlisted beyond Jan. 1, 1776, and at that time 
they would be free to return to their homes. 
Congress therefore ordered that a new army 
be recruited and that as many men as possible 
from the army in the field be persuaded to re- 
enlist. 

The siege of Boston continued during the 
winter with very little to enliven military life. 
Washington was almost overwhelmed with 
anxious cares. The supply of powder was al- 
ways short and the troops whose time of service 
had expired were leaving in great numbers. So 
few came to take their places that on Jan. 1, 
1776, the army surrounding Boston did not 
exceed ten thousand men. 

As Mount Vernon was thought an unsafe 
place for Mrs. Washington, the general wrote 
her to join him at Cambridge. She arrived in 
midwinter. We are told that she traveled in 
her coach-and-four, accompanied by her son, 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 105 

Mr. Custis. Her presence was quite a relief 
to Washington, for she presided at headquarters 
with dignity and grace, and attended to the 
social affairs of his mihtary family. 

As the spring advanced, it was resolved at a 
council of war held by Washington and his gen- 
erals to seize Dorchester Heights and plant 
batteries in such a position as to command the 
city and thus drive the British from their for- 
tifications. For two days their attention was 
attracted by a constant fire from the American 
batteries. Then,' on the night of March 4, 
a detachment of two thousand men with three 
hundred wagons was thrown forward and 
reached Dorchester Heights unperceived by the 
British. 

The next morning, when General Howe, the 
new British commander, saw the forts on the 
Heights bristling with cannon, he exclaimed, 
''Those rebels have done more work in one night 
than my whole army would have done in a 
month!" Instantly, every gun which could be 
brought to bear upon the American works 
commenced a fierce bombardment, and an 
assault was ordered. But a violent storm which 



106 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

arose beat such surges ypon the shore that 
boats could not land that night. When the 
storm had passed, the Americans had rendered 
their works so strong that General Howe gave 
up all thoughts of an assault, and found him- 
self compelled to evacuate Boston. 

After a parley, it was agreed that General 
Howe should retire from Boston unmolested, on 
condition that the city should not be injured by 
either plundering or the torch. On March 
17, 1776, the whole British army went on board 
the fleet and sailed away; and on the 20th, 
Washington made his triumphal entry into the 
city. 

The skill and patience displayed by Wash- 
ington in the siege of Boston placed him at 
once in the highest rank of military commanders. 
The country was wild with joy at the expulsion 
of the British. Congress ordered a gold medal 
to be struck in honor of the event and also ten- 
dered Washington and the army a unanimous 
vote of thanks. 

Expecting that New York would be the 
next point of attack, Washington began to con- 
centrate his forces at that place. The patriot 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 107 

army now numbered about twenty-six thousand 
men, only half of whom were fit for service. 
The recruits were untrained, poorly equipped, 
and poorly supplied with provisions. Many of 
the patriot officers were untrained, and worse 
than all, disease was making sad havoc upon the 
already thin ranks. 

Major General Putnam was placed in im- 
mediate command of the army at New York. 
Under the direction of Washington the work of 
fortifying the city and harbor was carried on 
with great rapidity. 

In the midst of these duties Washington 
was summoned to Philadelphia to advise with 
Congress as to the coming campaign. The 
king had paid no attention to the appeal of 
Congress; but in his speech to Parliament he 
accused the Americans of rebellion and declared 
that they had taken up arms to establish an 
independent empire. He also insisted that 
vigorous measures should be taken to subdue 
them. 

An act was soon passed by Parliament pro- 
hibiting all trade with the colonies and authoriz- 
ing the capture of American vessels and the 



108 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

imprisonment of their crews. Another act 
provided for the hiring of seventeen thousand 
German troops (Hessians), and the transporta- 
tion of twenty-five thousand additional Eng- 
hsh soldiers to subdue the colonies. 

These harsh measures convinced Congress 
that there was no hope of making an honorable 
peace and that it must prepare for a vigorous de- 
fense. Military stores were collected and pow- 
der was bought in foreign countries. At Wash- 
ington's request, Congress provided for a three- 
year enlistment and offered a bounty of ten 
dollars to each recruit. A war office to take 
charge of military affairs was also estab- 
lished. 

As soon as possible, Washington hurried 
back to New York to give his personal attention 
to the defenses and to the distribution of his 
scant forces. He was very anxious to prevent 
the British from getting possession of the Hud- 
son river. To this end he stationed General 
Schuyler and General Arnold at Fort Ticon- 
deroga to watch events in the North and to col- 
lect a naval force on Lake George. He then 
directed his attention to the building of two 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 109 

forts above New York on the Hudson river. 
They were called Fort Washington and Fort 
Lee. 

Meanwhile, Congress at Philadelphia was 
discussing with closed doors the question of 
independence. On June 7, 1776, Richard 
Henry Lee, of Virginia, moved that ''these 
United Colonies are and of right ought to be 
free and independent States." This resolu- 
tion was passed on July 2, and on July 4 the 
''Declaration of Independence" was adopted 
by Congress. 

Everywhere the "Declaration" was re- 
ceived with joy; bells were rung, cannons fired, 
bonfires kindled, and processions formed. 
Though Washington foresaw the terrible con- 
flict through which the Americans must pass, 
he hailed its passage with joy. He caused it 
to be read at the head of each brigade and in his 
order of the day said, "The general hopes that 
this will serve as a fresh incentive to every 
officer and soldier to act with courage and 
fidelity, as knowing that now the peace and 
safety of his country depends, under God, solely 
on the success of our arms." 



110 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

Great Britain was astounded by this stand 
for freedom. She had considered herself as 
bringing under control a lot of stingy and re- 
bellious colonists whom she would punish severe- 
ly for their obstinacy. Now, she found that a 
nation had sprung into existence — a nation 
willing to fight and die for its rights. 

It Is a curious fact that Congress should 
have taken this important step at a time when 
Great Britain was making a supreme effort to 
regain her dominion. Those grand men were 
building better than they knew. Looking back 
from the dawn of the twentieth century, w^e 
see that they were laying the broad and deep 
foundations of a mighty republic ''before whose 
expanding national glory all nations stand 
amazed." 

The British now began to concentrate 
their forces about New York for the purpose 
of getting possession of that city and of the 
Hudson river, thereby dividing the northern 
colonies from the southern. Clinton and Corn- 
wallis had arrived from the South and Admiral 
Lord Howe, the brother of General Howe, had 
come from England bringing strong reinforce- 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF HI 

ments. General Howe had now an army of 
thirty-five thousand of the best troops of Eu- 
rope. 

Lord Howe had been instruced by his gov- 
ernment to make peace with the Americans 
by pardoning all who would lay down their 
arms. The British refused to give to American 
officers their titles and treated them with the 
greatest scorn. Lord Howe sent a dispatch 
concerning the terms of peace to the American 
camp directed to ''George Washington, Es- 
quire." Washington refused to receive the 
letter which ignored his position as commander 
of the American armies. Howe then sent 
another communication addressed to ''George 
Washington, etc., etc., etc."; saying that the 
^'and so forth'' might mean any title at all. 
But Washington handed back the letter with 
the information that he would receive no com- 
munications which were not directed to him as 
commander-in-chief. We are told that Wash- 
ington received the thanks of Congress and the 
nation for thus sustaining their dignity. 

In the midst of the storm gathering around 
the patriot army at New York, good news came 



112 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

from Charleston, South Carolina. On June 
28, the patriot army, under General Charles 
Lee, successfully repulsed the attack of a large 
British fleet on Fort Moultrie. Finding that 
no impression could be made by bombarding 
the palmetto walls of the fort, the fleet sailed to 
New York, having lost more than two hundred 
men. 

Lord Howe now realized that there was no 
prospect of making peace with the Americans 
on the terms proposed by his government, and 
he at once began hostilities. Under his orders 
General Sir Henry Clinton crossed over to 
Long Island with ten thousand men and forty 
cannon. The British landed without oppo- 
sition and prepared to advance against the 
Americans. 

The American army under General Putnam, 
nine thousand strong, had been stationed near 
Brooklyn to guard the heights which com- 
manded the city of New York. The two armies 
were separated by a chain of hills covered with 
woods called the heights of Guan. Putnam 
expected to arrest the enemy upon these heights 
and stationed his troops accordingly. 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 113 

To inspect the preparations that had been 
made to check the British, Washington crossed 
over to Brooklyn on August 26, and remained 
all day with General Putnam. In the evening, 
he returned to New York, for a night attack by 
the British warships was feared, and it was 
thought best that the commander-in-chief in 
person direct affairs about the city. It was a 
most anxious night for Washington. There 
were so many points that the enemy might at- 
tack, and so few men to defend them. 

At break of day on August 27, the battle 
began. The attack of the British was gallantly 
repelled until the noise of battle was heard in the 
rear of the Americans. Sir Henry Clinton had 
found an unguarded road and by a rapid march 
had fallen upon their rear. 

The patriots fought bravely and many of 
them escaped through the British lines, but 
many more were killed or taken prisoners. 
General Lord Stirling's division was in the great- 
est danger and suffered heavily. Some of his 
men escaped by casting themselves into the 
waters of the bay and swimming across to 
Brooklyn. The three generals, Sullivan, Stir- 



114 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

ling, and Woodall, were taken prisoners, and 
about one thousand Americans were killed or 
missing. The British loss was slight. If Gen- 
eral Clinton had followed up his victory and 
assaulted the works around Brooklyn, he would 
doubtless have captured the remainder of the 
American army. 

From the thundering of the cannon and 
rattle of musketry about dawn Washington 
knew that the battle had commenced. He 
hurried across the river and arrived in time to 
to see the disaster, but was unable to prevent it. 
From a neighboring hill, he watched the retreat 
and dreadful slaughter of General Lord Stirling's 
command. Wringing his hands in agony at 
the sight he cried, ''Good God, what brave fel- 
lows must I have this day lost!" He could not 
even attempt their relief with men from the 
fort, for the garrison was already too small for 
its defense. 

"Had he engaged all his forces in the ac- 
tion," says the historian Botta, *'it is probable 
that the entire army would have been destroyed 
and America reduced to subjection." Great 
praise is therefore due to Washington for his 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 115 

prudence, which preserved both himself and his 
army for a happier future. 

On the next morning, August 28, the 
British commenced firing at the fort, but did 
httle damage. At midnight a dense fog arose 
which hid the armies from each other during the 
next day. Seeing that he could not hold the 
position, Washington resolved to save the rem- 
nant of his little army by crossing the river that 
very night. 

It was a perilous undertaking. Seven thou- 
sand men were to be withdrawn from the pre- 
sence of a watchful foe "so near that every 
stroke of the spade and pick-ax from their 
trenches could be heard." 

About midnight the men began to embark. 
The boats moved noiselessly with muffled oars, 
and in six hours, aided by the darkness and fog, 
the whole army with its baggage and artillery 
had crossed in safety to New York. Washing- 
ton remained at the ferry until the last man had 
embarked, though he had neither rested nor 
slept for two days and nights. This retreat is 
regarded as one of the most remarkable mili- 
tary manoeuvers recorded in history, and re- 



116 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

fleets great credit upon the coolness and courage 
of the commander-in-chief. 

At sunrise General Howe discovered that the 
Americans had escaped and great was his 
astonishment and chagrin. Long Island was 
now in full possession of the British, who were 
ready to attack New York. 

Washington felt that with the means at 
hand he could not successfully oppose so power- 
ful an enemy. He, therefore, removed all the 
sick and wounded to Orangetown in the Jer- 
seys, and retreated with his stores and munitions 
of war to Harlem Heights, north of the city, 
establishing his headquarters at King's Bridge. 

The condition of the American army was 
now alarming. Until the defeat at Brooklyn 
they had flattered themselves that, because their 
cause was just, they would be protected by 
Providence. They had also persuaded them- 
selves that personal bravery was better than 
discipline and had even sneered at Washington's 
endeavor to drill them according to European 
tactics. Now they had lost all confidence "in 
Heaven, in their commander, and in them- 
selves." 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 117 

Many deserted, others did not reenllst 
when their time expired, and ''those who re- 
mained were dejected and afraid of their own 
shadows"; indeed, a total dissolution of the 
army was threatened. At this critical moment 
Washington used all his powers of persuasion 
to revive the drooping spirits of his men. He 
wrote a stirring letter to Congress in which he 
begged that no more men be enlisted except 
for the duration of the war, adding that it would 
be impossible to gain independence with an 
ever changing army. 

To induce men to enlist, a bounty of twenty 
dollars was offered by Congress and portions of 
unoccupied land were promised to the officers 
and soldiers. At present, however, Washing- 
ton had only a few dispirited and ill-fed troops 
with whom to contend against a large and 
victorious army. In this situation, he adopted 
the wise policy of harassing and retreating 
before his enemy without risking a general 
engagement. By this policy, the Roman gen- 
eral, Fabius Maximus, had saved Rome when 
threatened by Hannibal two thousand years be- 
fore. Washington has, therefore, been called by 



118 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

many students of history, the * 'American 
Fablus." 

The British entered New York on Septem- 
ber 15, and Washington withdrew to White 
Plains. Here the enemy attacked him late In 
October. The conflict lasted several hours 
without any decided advantage on either side. 
At night the two armies lay within cannon 
shot of each other, the campflres lighting up 
the landscape with their lurid glare. 

During this anxious night, Washington, ex- 
pecting a bloody conflict on the morrow, re- 
moved his sick and wounded to a safer place. 
He also threw back the right wing of his army to 
stronger ground, doubling his entrenchments and 
throwing up works as If by magic. These re- 
doubts were made partly of the stalks of Indian 
corn taken from a neighboring field and piled 
up with the earth clinging in masses to the 
roots. The next morning the Americans seemed 
so strongly Intrenched that Howe deemed It 
prudent to wait for reinforcements. 

On the next night Washington made another 
move which greatly perplexed his watchful 
foe. Protected by the darkness and leaving 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 119 

a strong rearguard on the heights, he retired 
with his main army about five miles to 
the high and rocky hills around Northcastle. 
Here he again set to work so entrench himself, 
his chief weapons being at this time the ''mat- 
tock and the spade." 

All was quiet for a few days, when during 
the night of November 4, a mysterious rum- 
bling sound was heard, and when the dawn ap- 
peared, it was seen that the enemy was retiring 
towards New York. Washington now left seven 
thousand five hundred men at Northcastle under 
the command of General Charles Lee, and hur- 
ried south through the defiles of the mountains 
to Fort Lee to watch the movements of General 
Llowe. There was no doubt that Howe in- 
tended to besiege Fort Washington, but it was 
feared that he intended also to send an expedi- 
tion to capture Philadelphia. 

When Washington reached Fort Lee on the 
right bank of the Hudson, just opposite Fort 
Washington, he found the latter closely in- 
vested by the enemy. He was much disap- 
pointed to find that General Greene, instead of 
withdrawing the garrison, had actually rein- 



120 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

forced it with nearly one thousand men. Throw- 
ing himself into a boat, he had partly crossed 
the river when he met General Greene and 
General Putnam returning from the fortress. 
They reported the garrison in high spirits and 
sure of making a successful defense. 

The next morning the assault w^as made by 
the British in four columns, and after a fierce 
fight. Colonel Magaw and his garrison of three 
thousand men were forced to surrender. 

Washington, from the opposite side of the 
Hudson, witnessed the fierce combat without the 
fort and saw his men, while begging quarter, cut 
down and bayoneted by the cruel Hessians. 
It is said that overcome by the terrible scene he 
wept ''with the tenderness of a child," 

Fort Lee had now to be abandoned in 
haste. To save the remainder of his army 
and to protect Philadelphia, Washington re- 
treated into the Jerseys. Orders were sent to 
General Lee at Northcastle to join him with his 
detachment, but he failed to obey. 

Washington was followed leisurely by Corn- 
wallis with all the "pomp and circumstance" of a 
victorious army. The American army was now 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 121 

reduced to three thousand men without tents and 
clothing and in the midst of people hostile to the 
patriot cause. Many of them had no shoes and 
left blood-stained tracks on the frozen ground. 
At last they reached the Delaware river at 
Trenton, slowly pursued by Cornwallis. Happi- 
ly they were here favored by fortune. All the 
boats for several miles along the river had been 
secured and in these the Americans crossed over. 

Cornwallis came up soon after, and finding 
no boats on the Jersey shore, he stationed 
detachments in Princeton, New Brunswick, and 
Trenton. He expected before long to cross 
upon the ice. 

This was indeed the darkest hour of the 
patriot cause. The army of Washington was 
too small to cope with the victorious force of 
the British, and the whole country was dis- 
pirited. Congress adjourned in haste from 
Philade'phia to Baltimore, for it was known that 
the British intended, as soon as the Delaware 
was frozen over, to march on Philadelphia, 
capture that city, disperse the little army of 
Washington, and restore the authority of the 
king. But they had not counted upon the wise 



122 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

measures of Congress nor the resolute resistance 
of George Washington. He had no thought 
of yielding. About this time he wrote to Gen- 
eral Mercer, ''We must retire to the mountains 
of West Augusta county in Virginia. Numbers 
will repair to us for safety. We will try a preda- 
tory war. If overpowered, we must cross the 
Alleghanies." 

Washington now sent General Mifflin and 
General Armstrong through Pennsylvania to 
arouse the people to fight in the defense of 
their capital. He also ordered General Gates 
to join him promptly with the best of the troops 
which he commanded in Canada. This order 
General Gates obeyed at once, reaching Wash- 
ington's camp on December 20. 

About this time, tidings came to Washing- 
ton that General Lee had been captured by the 
British. Though a fearless, dashing officer, Lee 
had become jealous of Washington, whom he 
abused both to Congress and to private persons 
of influence. It was thought by some that Lee 
himself had planned to be captured and that he 
afterward disclosed to General Howe the woeful 
condition of the Americans. 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 123 

However that may be, General Sullivan now 
took command of Lee's division and hastened 
to join the army on the Delaware. Just 
before this Washington had been reinforced by 
fifteen hundred militia from Philadelphia and 
five hundred Germans from Pennsylvania, so 
that he had now between five and six thousand 
men fit for duty. 

He at once decided to attack some of the 
British forces, which were scattered along the 
Jersey side of the Delaware river. Ho e was 
In New York, and Lord Cornwallis, believing the 
war to be over, was also there preparing to re- 
turn to England. The river was now full of 
floating Ice. In a few days it would be frozen 
over and then the foe would cross over and 
march on Philadelphia. There were three regi- 
ments of Hessians at Trenton commanded by 
Colonel Rahl. Knowing that on Christmas 
night the Hessians would be carousing, Wash- 
ington determined to surprise them and if 
possible carry them off as prisoners. 

The night selected for the attack was dark 
and stormy and it was with difficulty that the 
boats were driven through the drifting ice. 



124 LIFE OF WASHINGTON V 

Two divisions were unable to cross, but the 
third under Washington and Sullivan effected 
a landing nine miles above Trenton. Washing- 
ton crossed over In one of the first boats and 
waited patiently on the icy bank until the ar- 
tillery had been brought over. 

It was nearly four o'clock in the morning 
before the troops began the march in a storm of 
sleet and rain. It was then impossible to reach 
Trenton before daylight, but it was equally 
impossible to return. So the llt^ile band of 
about two thousand pressed on and burst into 
the tow^n from tw^o directions just as the Hessians 
were beginning to stir in their quarters. 

Washington commanded one division and 
Sullivan the other. The advance guard was 
led by a gallant young officer, William A. 
Washington, assisted by Lieutenant James Mon- 
roe, who in after years w^as President of the 
United States. 

Aroused by the approach of the Americans, 
the Hessians sprang into the streets and at- 
tempted to form in line. The American cannon 
began to roar and muskets to flash sending 
deadly volleys Into their ranks. Colonel Rahl 



126 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



1 



was mortally wounded at the first onset. 
Having lost their commander, over one thou- 
sand Hessians soon threw down their arms. 
Only a troop of light horse made its escape to- 
wards Princeton. 

As Washington knew that he could not 
hold Trenton against the force which w^ould be 
hurried there in a few hours, he recrossed the 
Delaware with his prisoners and spoils. He had 
lost only four men, two of whom had been 
frozen. He had captured twelve hundred fine 
muskets, six brass cannon, and all the flags and 
standards of the brigade. 

This brillant victory filled the despondent 
patriots with joy and the British with amaze- 
ment. General Howe, who was taking his 
ease in winter quarters at New York, in great 
alarm ordered Lord Cornwallis back to Prince- 
ton to reinforce General Grant. 

Congress now gave Washington absolute con- 
trol of the war. "Happy is the country/' 
wrote the committee, ''that the general of their 
forces can be intrusted with the most unlimited 
power.'* 

About fourteen hundred veteran soldiers 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 127 

whose terms were about to expire were induced 
by Washington to remain six weeks longer. 
With the return of victory to the Americans, 
many tories in the Jerseys declared themselves 
patriots and began to enlist. The bow of hope 
began to gleam once more between the clouds of 
adversity. So closed the year of Independence, 
1776. 



128 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

CHAPTER VIII 
THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 

Four days after the capture of the Hessians, 
Washington, with four thousand men, again 
crossed the Delaware through the floating ice 
and halted at Trenton. It was almost madness 
to venture within the grasp of Lord Cornwallis, 
who had moved forward so rapidly that by 
Jan. 1, 1777, he was in front of Washington 
with seven thousand men. The American offi- 
cers, however, felt that another effort should 
be made to defeat the enemy and save Phila- 
delphia before General Howe should come up 
with reinforcements. 

A sharp skirmish took place outside of Trenton 
on the evening of the first of January. Wash- 
ington then deemed it more prudent to with- 
draw from the tow^n and take a stronger po- 
sition behind Assunpink Creek. 

The British at once took possession of the 
town and attempted to force the passage of 
the stream, but were driven back. Washing- 
ton, mounted on a noble white charger, sta- 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 129 

tioned himself at the south end of the stone 
bridge across the creek and issued his orders. 
Each time the British were repulsed loud shouts 
arose along the American lines. 

Washington and his officers met in haste 
to consider their desperate situation. Only a 
small stream separated them from the enemy 
vastly superior in numbers and discipline, 
while behind them flowed the Delaware filled 
with floating ice and impassable in the face of 
the foe. 

In the darkest hour a bold plan suggested 
itself to Washington. The forces of the enemy 
were advancing by detachments from Prince- 
ton. Would it be possible by a rapid night 
march to pass around these forces and surprise 
the troops at Princeton? His officers at once 
agreed to the movement. The campfires were 
kept burning brightly throughout the night in 
order to deceive the enemy. About midnight 
the little army was marching swiftly and si- 
lently towards Princeton, and the morning 
light showed the British sentries a deserted 
camp. 

At the very moment Cornwallis found out 



130 LIFE OF WASHINGTON ^^ 

that the camp on the Assunpink had been de- 
serted, the Americans were entering Princeton. 
They met the British division beginning its 
march to Trenton and the battle at once began. 
At first the raw American mihtia gave way, but 
they were ralHed by Washington who galloped 
forward and placed himself at their head. In- 
spired by his noble example, the men rushed 
forward and soon put the foe to flight, inflicting 
upon them a loss of four hundred and thirty 
men killed, wounded, and missing. The Amer- 
icans lost the brave General Mercer, who, 
struck down by a blow from the butt of a mus- 
ket, refused to surrender and was bayoneted 
to death. They also lost about thirty men 
killed and wounded. 

Washington then collected his little army and 
pressed the enemy along the road to Brunswick 
where there were valuable stores. But his men 
were so fatigued by marching and fighting in 
a half-starved condition that he gave up the pur- 
suit. Destroying the bridge behind him, he 
pushed on to the wooded heights of Morris- 
town. There he was safe from Cornwallis who 
was already marching to attack him; and he was 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 131 

also In position to fall upon the rear of the ene- 
my should they proceed to Philadelphia. 

Cornwallis retired to Brunswick and con- 
tinued to contract his lines until all his forces 
were collected at that place and at Amboy. 

The whole aspect of the war in the Jer- 
seys had now changed. The people, aroused 
by the outrages of the Hessian and British sol- 
diers and encouraged by the successes of Wash- 
ington, openly declared themselves patriots. 
Congress returned to Philadelphia and confi- 
dence was restored throughout the country. 
"Achievements so great," says Botta, "gained 
for the American commander a very great repu- 
tation. All declared him to be the savior of 
his country, and proclaimed him equal to the 
most renowned commanders of antiquity." 

Meanwhile Congress was making arrange- 
ments for carrying on the war with greater 
vigor. Three commissioners — Benjamin Frank- 
lin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee — were sent 
to France to borrow money of that government, 
and also, if possible, to prevail upon it to ac- 
knowledge the independence of the American 
colonies. These men excited at the court of 



132 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

France great interest in the American cause. 
Several gentlemen of rank and fortune came 
forward and offered their services. The most 
distinguished of these was the Marquis de 
Lafayette (de la fa yetO, a young nobleman. 
He fitted out a vessel at his own expense and, 
eluding the officers of the French ports, reached 
South Carolina in April, 1777. His arrival 
caused great joy. Washington received him 
as a friend, and Congress, in July of this year, 
commissioned him a major-general. 

Congress now made a blunder which brought 
a train of serious consequences to the cause 
and to Washington. Generals Stirling, Mif- 
flin, St. Clair, Stephens, and Lincoln were all 
advanced to the rank of major-general, while 
Arnold, their senior in service, who had per- 
formed so many brilliant exploits, was passed 
over and left a brigadier. Through the in- 
fluence of Washington, Congress afterward 
gave Arnold the desired rank, but his haughty 
spirit never forgave the slight, and from that 
time he sought revenge. 

Early in 1777, it became evident to Wash- 
ington that the British were going to invade 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 133 

New York from Canada. For this purpose an 
army of about ten thousand men under Gen- 
eral Burgoyne was being organized. General 
Schuyler was in command of the American 
forces in eastern New York, and Washington 
sent him all the reinforcements that could pos- 
sibly be spared. 

In July, 1777, General Howe with eighteen 
thousand men sailed from New York for an at- 
tack upon Philadelphia. As they were unable 
to ascend the Delaware river because of forts 
and obstructions placed near the mouth of 
that river by the Americans, the fleet sailed 
southward and, entering the Chesapeake, pro- 
ceeded to Elk river in Maryland. There the 
troops disembarked and began to march to- 
ward Philadelphia. 

Washington, who had been anxiously watch- 
ing their movements, advanced to meet them. 
He selected the river Brandywine about seventy 
miles from Philadelphia as his line of defense. 
He knew that his poorly equipped army of 
eleven thousand men was no match in the open 
field for the eighteen thousand British regulars; 
but neither the public mind nor Congress it- 



134 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

self would have been satisfied without at least 
one attempt to prevent the British from enter- 
ing Philadelphia. 

The American commander had sent to the 
aid of General Schuyler several of his best regi- 
ments, among them Col. Daniel Morgan's de- 
tachment of mounted riflemen from Virginia. 
He now felt the need of these daring troopers, 
for in their absence it was difficult to find out 
the movements of the enemy. In doubt as 
to where the enemy would cross, Washington 
stationed the left wing of his army at a crossing 
on the Brandywine called Chadd's Ford, while 
the right, under General Sullivan, was extended 
for some distance up the river. 

Early on the morning of September 11, the 
British reached the Brandywine and the battle 
was begun. The Hessians attacked the left 
wing of the Americans at the ford; but the 
main division of the British marched by a cir- 
cuitous route and crossed at a point beyond the 
American right. Howe had repeated his tac- 
tics of the battle of Long Island and had again 
outflanked the Americans. Their right wing 
was thrown into confusion and crushed by the 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 135 

attack on its rear, and the battle was lost. 
Washington retreated during the night to West 
Chester, and later on crossed the Schuylkill 
(skoor kill) to Germantown. 

The loss of the Americans in this battle was 
about one thousand men; that of the British 
was five hundred and eighty-four. Major- 
General Lafayette was severely wounded and 
barely escaped capture. 

Finding that his men were in good spirits 
and that they deemed the recent affair a check 
rather than a defeat, W^ashington resolved to 
risk another battle in defense of the capital. 
On September 15, he recrossed the Schuylkill 
and attacked Howe's forces at Warren's Tav- 
ern. Just as the battle began, a terrific storm 
swept over the field. The cartridges of the com- 
batants were soaked with rain, and fighting was 
impossible. Washington therefore withdrew his 
forces and retreated to a safe place on French 
Creek. 

After a briei rest, Washington again sallied 
forth to harass General Howe and if possible 
to save Philadelphia. But, after several skir- 
mishes, Howe succeeded in evading the weary 



136 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



1 



and barefooted American troops, and by a 
forced march threw his forces across the river. 
On September 26, 1777, the splendidly arrayed 
British army entered the city, stepping proudly 
to the music of ''God save the King." The 
tories were wild with joy, and the British re- 
garded the taking of the capital as the end 
of the war. 

But they did not reckon upon the wisdom 
and patience of the "American Fabius" who, 
undismayed, advanced toward Germantown 
where the main division of the British was 
quartered. On October 4, Washington attempted 
to surprise this force, but owing to the rough- 
ness of the roads, the attack could not be made 
as he had planned it. On the approach of the 
Americans the British sprang to their arms and 
a liard fight began. In a short time, however, 
the enemy was forced to retreat in disorder. 

In the meantime a dense fog had arisen' — 
so dense that it was impossible to distinguish 
friend from foe. This fog caused a sudden and 
singular panic among the victorious Americans. 
In 'the darkness, Wayne's division, which had 
driven a part of the enemy's forces several 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 137 

miles from their camp, became alarmed by the 
advance of a large body of troops upon its rear. 
Imagining that they were being surrounded by 
the British, his men fell back in confusion upon 
the supporting columns, which in turn retreated. 
Then, in spite of the efforts of the officers to 
rally the broken ranks, our army fled in the 
moment of victory. 

Finding that they were not being pursued, 
the British recovered from their surprise and 
rallied. About this time, the rising sun dis- 
pelled the mist and they beheld the Americans 
retreating in good order, carrying with them 
their wounded and baggage. 

The Americans lost in this engagement about 
one thousand killed, wounded, and missing. 
The total British loss was only five hundred and 
thirty-five. General Sullivan in writing of 
this battle says: 'T saw with great concern our 
brave commander-in-chief exposing himself to 
the hottest fire of the enemy in such a manner 
that regard for my country obliged me to ride 
to him and beg him to retire." 

The battle of Germantown, though a de- 
feat for the patriots, had the effect of a victory. 



138 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



1 



The boldness of the attack and the nearness 
of victory convinced both America and Europe 
that Washington was a formidable foe. With 
great skill and care, he now drew nearer to 
Philadelphia and entrenched his army at White 
Marsh. In this position he was able to cut off 
many supplies intended for the British. 

To save their army from starvation, the 
Howes now resolved to destroy Fort Mifflin 
and Fort Mercer which commanded the Dela- 
ware river below Philadelphia and prevented 
the entrance of the fleet. After a fierce bom- 
bardment both forts were captured, and by 
November 20 General Howe had at last ob- 
tained full control of the Delaware. 

While these movements had been going 
on around Philadelphia, the American army 
under General Gates, who had superseded Gen- 
eral Schuyler, had captured at Saratoga, New 
York, on October 17, the entire British army 
under General Burgoyne. The victory, which 
was largely due to the bravery and daring 
of Arnold, gained for the Americans a fine 
train of artillery, seven thousand stands of 
arms, military stores of all kinds, and undis- 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 139 

puted possession of the eastern part of the State 
of New York. 

Let us return to Washington at White Marsh. 
The recent victory at Saratoga had rendered 
the pubHc impatient for something equally 
brilliant from the army of the commander- 
in-chief. Great pressure was now brought to 
bear upon him to attempt the storming of 
Philadelphia. But knowing the strength of 
the British fortifications, he refused to risk 
his army for the satisfaction of the public and 
the favor of the press. 

About this time arrangements were made by 
Howe to surprise Washington in his camp at 
White Marsh. The plan was revealed to the 
commander by Mrs. Darrah, a Quaker lady, at 
whose house Howe had held a council of war. 
When the British approached the American 
camp, they found the patriots in order of battle. 
So complete were the preparations for defense 
that Howe did not dare attack. 

Winter now set in with great severity and 
Washington sought winter quarters for his army 
at a place called Valley Forge, twenty-two 
miles from Philadelphia. From this place he 



140 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

could watch that city and also protect a large 
extent of country from the ravages of the Brit- 
ish. 

A town of log huts was soon built and 
Washington strove by every means possible 
to secure the necessaries of life for his suffering 
men. The colonies had not sent the promised 
supplies to their soldiers, and Congress was un- 
able to buy provisions with its paper money. 
Food was scarce and thousands of soldiers 
had no shoes. Many were without clothes and 
even straw was wanting to raise them at night 
from the cold, wet earth. Disease attacked 
them, and the hospitals were filled as fast as 
the dead were carried out. The pay of the 
officers was not sufficient to buy food and cloth- 
ing, and many of the bravest and best resigned. 

Amidst the griefs and cares to which Wash- 
ington was subjected, a plot was formed to 
have Congress remove him and place General 
Gates at the head of the army. These were per- 
haps the darkest days of Washington's life. 
But he paid no attention to the malice of his 
private enemies. Calm and resolute, be bent 
all of his energies to improve the condition of 




WAgHINGTON AND ST^EUBEN AT VALLEY FORGE [141] 



142 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



vs of 



his army and camp. When at last the news 
the plot to remove him spread abroad through- 
out the land, the people took his part, and the 
army was so indignant that all who had aided 
in the foul conspiracy were so afraid of its 
righteous anger that they kept out of camp. 

After much delay on the part of Congress, 
Baron Steuben was appointed inspector-gefieral 
of the army, and General Greene, quartermas- 
ter-general. Under the supervision of these 
officers the condition of affairs at Valley Forge 
improved wonderfully. The soldiers were reg- 
ularly and carefully drilled by the inspector- 
general, and the arrival of provisions and sup- 
plies of all kinds as the result of the efforts of 
the quartermaster-general removed the dread 
of famine from the hearts of the heroic band. 

On Feb. 6, 1778, a treaty of defensive 
alliance was concluded between France and the 
United States. The king of France acknowl- 
edged the independence of the United States 
and sent money, stores, and a fleet to aid the 
Americans. 

Great was the rejoicing throughout the 
colonies, for all felt that with so powerful an 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 143 

ally the British would at last be defeated. 
The treaty was celebrated at Valley Forge with 
solemn thanksgiving by a chaplain at the head 
of each*brigade, a grand parade, and a national 
salute of thirteen guns. A banquet followed, at 
which Washington dined in public with all his 
officers. Upon his return from the banquet 
he was greeted with the wildest applause from 
both officers and men. 

The news of the sailing of the French 
fleet so alarmed the British government that 
orders were sent to the army at Philadelphia 
to join the forces at New York. General 
Howe at his own request had been recalled to 
England, and Sir Henry Clinton had been put 
in command at Philadelphia. On June 18, 
1778, he evacuated the city and began to make 
his way across the Jerseys. 

Washington at once marched into the capi- 
tal and then followed the retiring British. He 
came up with them at Monmouth on June 27. 
The following morning General Charles Lee, 
who had been recently exchanged for the British 
general, Prescott, was ordered to commence the 
attack with five thousand men. Washington 



144 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

promised to come to his assistance with the 
main army. 

The British turned to meet the attack of 
the Americans. Surprised at the determina- 
tion of CHnlon to give battle with his whole 
army, Lee w^as forced to form his troops upon 
unfavorable ground. Behind him was a morass 
over which it would have been difficult to re- 
treat in case of defeat. It has been suggested 
that he was angry at being forced to an engage- 
ment which he had opposed in the council 
of war held previously by Washington. How- 
ever that may be, instead of advancing, at the 
first charge of the British he ordered a retreat; 
and his men ran pellmell across the morass 
followed by the enemy. 

In the meantime Washington, ignorant of 
the shameful retreat, was coming up with the 
other divisions of the army. As the first sound 
of firing burst upon the air, his troops eager for 
battle, threw aside their knapsacks and pressed 
forward. The heat was so intense and the dust 
and sand so deep in the roads that many fell 
exhausted upon the way. 

Washington had dismounted and was stand- 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 145 

ing with his arm thrown across the neck of his 
snow-white charger listening to the firing in 
front and watching his men as they marched 
past to battle, when a farmer dashed up to 
him and exclaimed that Lee's division was in 
full retreat and near at hand. 

With one terrible look of anger and despair, 
Washington mounted his horse and galloped 
swiftly to meet the retreating men. The mo- 
ment that he was seen, a ringing shout, "Long 
live Washington," burst upon his ears. Gal- 
loping to the rear, he reined up beside Lee 
and in a voice full of passion said, ''General 
Lee, I desire to know what is the reason, and 
whence this disorder and confusion." Greatly dis- 
concerted, Lee stammered a reply, but Washing- 
ton galloped on ordering the officers and en- 
couraging the men until they wheeled and formed 
in splendid order to meet the approaching foe. 

He then rode back to Lee and pointing 
to the line of battle said, "Will you, sir, com- 
mand in that place?" He replied, "Yes." 
''Well then," said Washington, "I expect you 
to check the enemy at once." "Your orders 
shall be obeyed," replied Lee, "and I shall 



146 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



1 



not be the first to leave the field." He imme- 
diately put himself at the head of the columns, 
while Washington returned to lead up the 
second division. But Lee found it impos- 
sible to remedy his fatal mistake. Both he 
and his men fought bravely, but they were 
gradually pressed back by the British. Wash- 
ington then came up rapidly with troops under 
Wayne and Greene, and by nightfall the 
the British had been driven back across the 
morass to the high ground beyond. Darkness 
now came on and the battle ceased. 

Although worn out by the excessive heat 
and fatigue of battle, the Americans slept upon 
their arms so that they might attack the enemy 
at early dawn. Washington, having visited 
his outposts, lay down beneath a tree with 
Lafayette by his side. But when morning 
came, they found that Sir Henry Clinton had 
quietly withdrawn during the night to the 
heights of Middletown. 

The loss of the Americans in the battle of 
Monmouth was two hundred and twenty- 
seven; that of the enemy was much greater. 

The British forces pursued their way to New 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 147 

York. Washington followed them and, cross- 
ing the Hudson, once more took up his quarters 
at White Plains. 

On the day after the battle of Monmouth 
Washington received an insulting letter from 
Lee demanding an apology for his hasty words 
on the field of battle. Washington replied se- 
verely that his language on the previous day 
had been warranted by the circumstances and 
that he had no apology to make. Lee answered 
in a still more insulting manner, and was there- 
upon arrested. He was tried by court-martial 
and dismissed from the army for twelve months. 
He then retired to his estate in Virginia and 
never more entered the service. 

On July 11, 1778, the French fleet under 
Count D'Estaing (des taN') arrived. It was his 
intention to attack the British squadron in 
New York harbor; but as the large warships 
of the line could not cross the bar, the plan was 
abandoned. The fleet then sailed to Newport, 
R. I., where the British had established them- 
selves in force. 

Washington had sent to Newport General 
Sullivan and Marquis de Lafayette with two 



148 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



!et. 11 



brigades to cooperate with the French fleet 
Quartermaster-general Greene was also ordered 
there, as he was a native of the island on which 
Newport is situated and was well acquainted 
with its shores and people. 

Before operations had fairly commenced, 
Admiral Lord Howe appeared with a part of his 
squadron. D'Estaing sailed forth to meet the 
enemy, but a terrific storm separated the com- 
batants. Howe made for New York and the 
French fleet returned to Newport battered 
and crippled by the storm. D'Estaing now re- 
fused to assist General Sullivan, so the latter 
had to raise the siege and retreat, which he did 
in a masterly manner. 

The failure of this expedition was a great 
disappointment to Washington; for the country 
expected much from the cooperation of the 
French, and was bitter in its denunciation of 
D'Estaing. 

Before the winter had begun, Washington 
distributed his troops in a line of strong en- 
campments from Long Island Sound to the 
Delaware. In this way the country was better 
protected and the troops were made more com- 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 149 

fortable. Sir Henry Clinton still kept posses- 
sion of New York and contented himself with 
sending out expeditions for the purpose of 
plundering. 

Washington now lost the assistance and com- 
panionship of the generous Lafayette. Seeing 
no prospect of immediate warfare, Lafayette ob- 
tained a furlough from Congress and returned 
to France promising to come back to America, 
''whenever he should find it convenient." 

Much of the commander-in-chief's time this 
winter was passed in Philadelphia planning for 
the campaign of 1779. 



150 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

CHAPTER IX 
THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 

When the spring of 1779 opened, Sir Henry 
Clinton sent an expedition up the Hudson and 
took possession of Stony Point and Verplanck 
Point, the lower gates to the Highlands. On 
June 1, Governor Tryon made a sudden de- 
scent on New Haven, Connecticut, and com- 
pelled a surrender. Several towns were burned 
to ashes and quantities of plunder were carried 
off. Norfolk and other towns in Virginia were 
burned. 

These raids caused Washington much vexa- 
tion, though of course with his small army it 
was impossible for him to meet every attack 
of the British, who moved up and down the 
coast with their powerful squadrons. 

It was very important, however, to the 
Americans that Stony Point should be retaken. 
Washington at last decided to intrust the task 
to General Wayne, "Mad Anthony" as he was 
sometimes called. That brave officer marched 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 151 

against the fort and in the evening of July 
15, 1779, halted his force of one thousand men 
in the woods near by. 

From this point they were guided by a 
negro named Pompey, who knew the British 
countersign. The pickets were surprised and 
gagged in the darkness. The muskets of the 
Americans were then unloaded and the bayo- 
nets fixed in utter silence. At midnight the 
patriots charged and scaled the ramparts. 
The British, finding themselves between two 
lines of glittering steel, surrendered. 

General Wayne secured the ammunition and 
stores, destroyed the fort, and marched off 
with more than five hundred prisoners. This 
was one of the most brilliant victories of the 
war. 

About a month later, the heart of Washing- 
ton was cheered by another victory. Major 
Henry Lee, of the Virginia Dragoons, in the 
course of his scouting, had discovered that the 
British post at Paulus Hook (Jersey City) just 
opposite New York City, was very negligently 
guarded. He proposed to take this fort by 
surprise and Washington gave his ready as- 



152 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

sent. Favored by the darkness of the night, 
Lee with about five hundred men, surprised the 
fort within gunshot of New York and carried 
off its garrison of one hundred and fifty-nine 
men. 

Washington now estabHshed his headquarters 
at West Point, the mountain fortress on the 
Hudson, where he superintended in person the 
fortifications of the Highlands. Here he received 
the news that Count D'Estaing with a powerful 
fleet, after having made a successful cruise 
against the English in the West Indies, had ar- 
rived off the coast of Georgia. He hoped that 
the Count would sail north and that they could 
arrange to make a combined attempt to take 
New York City. But D'Estaing was pursuaded 
to assist General Lincoln, who was now in com- 
mand of the Southern army, to retake Savan- 
nah from the British. The attempt, however, 
failed through the obstinacy of the French 
admiral. 

Seeing that no dependence could be placed 
upon D'Estaing's cooperation, Washington sent 
the militia and Southern troops home and pre- 
pared for the winter of 1779-80. The war this 



I 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 153 

year had languished and the patriotism of the 
people seemed to wane. 

One division of the army was left at West 
Point; the other under Washington wintered 
in huts along the heights of Morristown. This 
winter was but a repetition of that at Valley 
Forge. The weather was unusually severe. 
The commissaries had neither money nor credit 
with which to purchase supplies for the suf- 
fering men. The beginning of the year 1780 
found the army in a famishing condition. ''For 
a fortnight past," wroteWashington/'the troops, 
both officers and men, have been almost per- 
ishing with want. Yet they have borne their 
sufferings with a patience that merits the appro- 
bation, and ought to excite the sympathy, of 
their countrymen." 

The depreciation of the currency was the 
chief cause of trouble. Forty dollars in paper 
was worth only one in gold or silver. The pay of 
a colonel would not buy a bushel of oats for 
his horse, and four months' pay of a private 
soldier would not procure for his family one 
bushel of wheat. In this emergency Congress 
promised to make good to the troops the differ- 



154 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

ence in the value of their pay caused by this 
depreciation. 

Washington was compelled to obtain grain 
and cattle by calling upon the counties of New 
Jersey for supplies. Whenever the call was 
unheeded, the articles required were impressed 
— that is, taken by force. In this way the army 
was kept from dissolution and starvation. 

In this gloomy time a letter came to Wash- 
ington from Lafayette announcing his arrival 
at Boston. We are told that tears came into 
Washington's eyes as he read this most welcome 
letter, telling that his friend was coming and 
that help was at hand; for Lafayette brought 
the news that another French fleet and an 
army under Count Rochambeau (ro shaN' bo') 
would soon come to the assistance of the 
Americans. 

Washington's attention was now drawn to 
affairs in the South. Leaving a large body of 
men at New York, in January, Sir Henry Clin- 
ton sailed south and moved upon Charleston. 
After a brave resistance General Lincoln was 
forced to surrender the city with about two thou- 
sand troops. 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 155 

This was a sad time for the patriots. Georgia 
and South Carohna were overrun by the Brit- 
ish, the money troubles were growing worse, 
and two regiments from Connecticut had mu- 
tinied in Washington's camp. He again ap- 
pealed to Congress for prompt assistance. 
But having no credit, Congress could not pro- 
cure even provisions for the famishing army. 
In the midst of this distress, Robert Mor- 
ris and a few other wealthy patriots came for- 
ward with their private fortunes and saved the 
country from impending ruin. 

About this time the patriotic women of 
Philadelphia, headed by Mrs. Washington, 
sent about seven thousand dollars to Washing- 
ton to spend as he thought best for his men. 
Everywhere, but chiefly in the Carolinas, the 
women now rekindled the fires of patriotism 
which had burned so brightly in the beginning 
of the Revolution. Their parting injunction 
to husband and lover was, 'Trefer prisons to 
infamy and death to servitude." 

Sir Henry Clinton, after capturing Charles- 
ton, had overrun the whole State of South Car- 
olina. He left Lord Cornwallis and Lord Row- 



156 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

don to hold the conquered territory and re- 
turned to New York, landing on June 17, 1780. 
But almost immediately his troops were re- 
embarked, as if for an expedition up the Hud- 
son. 

Fearing for the safety of West Point, Wash- 
ington set off towards that place, leaving 
General Greene to protect the stores and camp 
at Morristown. As soon as his departure was 
reported to Sir Henry Clinton, he sent a large 
body of infantry and cavalry to capture Mor- 
ristown. But General Greene had so posted 
his little force in the mountain defiles that the 
British troops were beaten back and forced to 
retreat in haste, pursued and harassed by the 
American dragoons and the yeomanry of the 
country. The next morning the British crossed 
over to Staten Island, and New Jersey was at 
last freed from their presence. 

Keeping a strict watch upon [the Highlands 
of the Hudson, Washington turned his atten- 
tion to the army of the South. He decided to 
send General Greene to assume command in 
place of General Lincoln who had been cap- 
tured. But Congress, with undue haste and 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 157 

without consulting Washington, gave General 
Gates, the conqueror of Burgoyne, that impor- 
tant command. 

In the meantime the insolence of the British 
troops had aroused the people of the Carolinas. 
They flocked to the standards of Marion and 
Sumter, who now came forward as protectors 
of the cause of liberty. They kept their head- 
quarters in thick swamps, from which they would 
suddenly issue by night or day and attack the 
enemy with such fury as to sweep all before 
them. During the whole summer and autumn 
of 1780, Colonel Marion continued to sweep 
around Cornwallis's encampments, cutting his 
lines of communication and keeping him in a 
constant state of uneasiness. 

Early in August Washington directed Gen- 
eral Gates, who had now collected his forces, 
to advance to meet Cornwallis. The hostile 
armies, each making an attempt to surprise 
the other, met near Camden in the darkness 
of the night. By mutual consent they waited 
for the dawn before beginning the fight. The 
Americans were defeated with a loss of more 
than one thousand men, among whom was the 



158 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

brave Baron de Kalb. General Gates was 
recalled and General Greene was placed in 
command of the scattered and disheartened 
patriot army. 

We have now arrived at one of the saddest 
episodes of our revolutionary history and one 
which gave the keenest anguish to our revered 
commander-in-chief — the treason of Arnold. 

Having received a severe wound at the 
battle of Saratoga in the fall of 1777, Arnold 
had been made commandant of Philadelphia. 
While living there, he married Miss Shippen, 
the beautiful daughter of a wealthy tory re- 
siding in that city. He then entered upon a 
career of extravagance which soon overwhelmed 
him with debt. 

In order to obtain money, he made false 
entries in his accounts with the government. 
When they were discovered, eight charges 
were preferred against him by Congress, and 
he was convicted by a court-martial and sen- 
tenced to be reprimanded by Washington. 
Believing that Arnold had been badly treated, 
Washington performed his task as gently as 
possible; but Arnold was deeply mortified and 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 159 

enraged. Pressed down by his debts and burn- 
ing for revenge, he entered into a secret corre- 
spondence with Sir Henry CHnton, at New 
York, and finally agreed to betray his country 
for British gold. 

Disguising his real feelings and professing 
unaltered devotion to his country, he applied 
for the command of West Point, the key to 
the Highlands of the Hudson. As Washington 
knew his great merit as an officer and did not 
doubt his patriotism, he was placed in command 
of that important fortress. 

Arnold was now in a position not only to 
demand from Sir Henry a reward for betraying 
his country but also to satisfy his desire for 
revenge. At last it was secretly agreed that 
the British fleet should ascend the Hudson and 
that the garrison and fortress of West Point 
should be surrendered without a struggle. 

Clinton, who believed that the loss of this 
fort would put an end to ''the rebellion," sent 
Major Andre (an' dra), his adjutant-general, 
to confer with the traitor on the terms of the 
surrender. Andre sailed up the Hudson on 
board the Vulture, a British sloop-of-war, and 



160 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



^ 



landed on the evening of July 21 a few miles 
below West Point. Shortly after midnight 
he was met by Arnold in a thicket near the shore. 
Here their plans were discussed until daylight 
compelled them to withdraw to a house within 
the American lines. Andre, being in full Brit- 
ish uniform, was now obliged to disguise him- 
self, and by so doing he assumed the character 
of a spy. 

The day was spent by Arnold and Andre in 
completing the bargain. Arnold agreed to 
surrender West Point for ten thousand pounds 
and a commission as brigadier-general in the 
British army. Andre received from Arnold 
papers containing plans of West Point and a 
statement of its condition, which he concealed 
in his stockings. 

In the meantime, the Vulture, lying at an- 
chor in the Hudson, had been discovered by some 
American gunners who planted a battery and 
drove it down the river. This forced Andre 
to set out for New York on foot. Crossing the 
river, he passed the American outposts in safety, 
bearing Arnold's passport and giving the name 
of John Anderson. 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 161 

Near Tarrytown, almost within sight of 
the British lines, he was stopped by three 
patriots, John Paulding, David Williams, and 
Isaac Van Wort. Supposing that they were 
tories, Andre confessed himself a British offi- 
cer; but on discovering his mistake he produced 
Arnold's pass and begged that he might con- 
tinue his journey. But as the suspicions of 
the patriots had been aroused, they searched 
him and found the papers in his stockings. 
They delivered him to Colonel Jameson at 
Northcastle who at once notified Arnold that 
"John Anderson" had been taken with his pass- 
port and some papers relating to West Point. 

Arnold was at breakfast when the Jameson's 
letter was handed him. He sprang up from the 
table, exchanged a few hurried words with 
his wife, and fled to the river. He succeeded 
in reaching the Vulture in a small boat. 

Washington attended by General Lafayette 
and General Knox reached Arnold's headquar- 
ters shortly after the traitor's flight. When 
Washington was informed of the deep-laid 
treachery, he was at first dumb with amazement. 
But, recovering his usual calmness, he at once 



162 , LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

began the work of strengthening the garrison] 
and completing the works about the fortress; 
for none knew so well as Arnold its weak places. 
Though outwardly calm, Washington's trustl 
in those around him was greatly shaken. He 
said privately to Lafayette and Knox^ in tones of 
great distress, "Whom can we trust now?" 

Arnold had escaped, but Andre was left to 
his fate. He was tried by a court-martial 
and condemned to death as a spy. Sir Henry 
Clinton made every effort to save his favorite 
aide, but in vain. On Oct. 2, 1780, he was 
led to the scaffold and hanged. Arnold, safe 
with the British, received the payment agreed 
upon for his treachery, and afterward, as we 
shall see, inflicted great injuries upon his native 
country. 

The year 1781 opened ingloriously for the 
patriot cause. The army was again without 
food, pay, or clothing. Its condition was so 
desperate that the Pennsylvania troops broke 
from their barracks on New Year's Day and 
marched on Philadelphia. They were met by 
commissioners of Congress who promised to 
fulfil all their demands. Knowing how shame- 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 163 

fully his men bad been treated, Washington 
was not unwilling that Congress should reap the 
reward of its neglect. Not long after, a New 
Jersey brigade revolted. This movement Wash- 
ington thought necessary to punish. The men 
were overpowered and subjected to severe dis- 
cipline. After this the army was no more trou- 
bled by mutiny. 

Early in January Arnold, now a British 
officer, was sent with an 'army to devastate 
southern Virginia. Having desolated the banks 
of the James, he landed near Richmond and 
succeeded in burning and destroying a large 
amount of public and private property in that 
city and vicinity. One of the plundering expe- 
ditions reached Mount Vernon and would 
have burned it had not the manager of the 
place ransomed it by bringing out large quanti- 
ties of forage and provisions. When Washing- 
ton heard of this, he was much displeased, and 
wrote that he would have been less vexed to 
hear that his home was in ruins than that he 
had furnished aid to the enemy. 

As soon as Washington found out that 
active warfare was being waged in Virginia, he 



164 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

sent Lafayette with a force of twelve hundred 
men to defend that colony. Virginia was at 
this time helpless, as most of her fighting men 
were absent in Greene's and Washington's 
armies. 

In the meantime Cornwallis had arrived 
from North Carolina and taken charge of the 
campaign in Virginia. After capturing Rich- 
mond, he began to plunder and pillage the coun- 
try north of the James river. 

As the young marquis had too small a 
force to meet Cornwallis in the field, he skill- 
fully eluded him until reinforced by General 
Wayne with about nine hundred Pennsylvania 
troops. He then changed his tactics and as- 
sumed the aggressive. On the approach of 
the forces under Lafayette, Cornwallis moved 
eastward towards Williamsburg followed and 
harassed by the Americans. After a stay of 
nine days there, he moved to Portsmouth. 

According to orders from Sir Henry Clin- 
ton, Cornwallis, in the early part of August, 
moved his army from Portsmouth to York- 
town on the York river a few miles from its 
entrance into the Chesapeake. The York river 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 165 

is here about one mile wide and deep enough for 
the largest ships to ride at anchor. 

Lafayette, supported by General Wayne, 
quickly moved his little army into the peninsula 
between the York and the James and took his 
position only eight miles from the enemy. A 
powerful French fleet under Count De Grasse 
was hourly expected in the Chesapeake, and 
Lafayette saw at a glance that if the York 
river could be blockaded by a friendly fleet and 
a sufficient land force be brought to bear upon 
Yorktown, Cornwallis would be forced to sur- 
render. 

To carry out this plan Washington de- 
termined to leave a small force .to guard the 
Hudson and to proceed to Virginia with the 
American and French troops. He took the 
precaution to mislead Sir Henry Clinton by 
making him believe that an assault was about to 
be directed against New York. His forces were 
pressed as closely as possible to the city. So 
well were his plans laid that Clinton did not 
know that Washington was marching south 
until he had reached the Delaware. It was 
then too late for him to give chase. 



166 ^ LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



I 



In order to divert Washington, Sir Henry 
sent Arnold to devastate New London, Connect- 
icut, his native place. This he did in a most 
horrible manner. But Washington did .not 
change his plans, knowing full well that it was 
all important to capture Cornwallis. 

When in Philadelphia, he procured through 
Mr. Robert Morris twenty thousand dollars 
in silver to pay off some of the northern regi- 
ments that objected to going south. This 
amount was really furnished by Count Rocham- 
beau and was repaid in October with money 
given to the American cause by the king of 
France. 

On the way southward Washington tarried 
two days at Mount Vernon. It had been six 
long years of toil and anxiety since the beloved 
roof had covered his head. Count Rocham- 
beau and other French officers joined him there 
and were entertained in true old Virginia style. 

At Williamsburg he was met by Lafayette 
who reported that Count De Grasse had en- 
tered the Chesapeake with twenty-eight ships 
of the line with nearly four thousand infantry, 
and was already blockading the mouth of the 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 167 

York river. At last Washington had obtained 
the cooperation of the land and naval forces. 
On September 28, the allied armies encamped 
closely around Yorktown and the siege was reg- 
ularly begun. 

Up to this time Cornwallis had felt very 
secure, being sure that he could not be hurt by 
Lafayette, whom he styled "the boy.'* But 
when he found himself surrounded both by 
land and water, be began to build fortifications; 
he also sent off messengers to Sir Henry Clin- 
ton to inform him of the situation. 

About October 1, the Americans threw up 
two redoubts, which were severely cannon- 
aded. We are told that while Washington 
was superintending their defense, a shot struck 
the ground near by, covering him with dust. 
The Rev. Mr. Evans, chaplain in the army, was 
greatly frightened. Taking off his hat, he 
found it covered with sand. "See here, general!" 
said he in an excited manner. "Mr. Evans," 
said Washington, with grave humor, "you had 
better carry that home and show it to your 
wife and children." 

"When the batteries of the first line of en- 



168 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



1 



trenchments were ready to fire upon the town," 
says an eye-witness, "Washington put the first 
match to the gun, and a furious cannonade 
commenced along the American line." After 
this firing had been continued for several days, 
Washington decided to make a night assault 
on two advanced redoubts held by the British. 

The American detachment, commanded by 
Lafayette and headed by Alexander Hamilton, 
aide to Washington, led the attack on the 
right; the French attacked the left. The Amer- 
icans, relying upon their bayonets, rushed for- 
ward with unloaded guns and quickly took the 
redoubt. The French on their side proceeded 
more scientifically; but at length, animated 
by their leaders, they carried the enemy's 
works with the bayonet. Cornwallis made no 
effort to retake the redoubts and they were 
included in a second line of entrenchments, 
which the allies completed before dawn. 

Cornwallis now foresaw that when the be- 
siegers should open fire upon him from their 
new works there would be no hope of escape. 
The greater part of his artillery had been dis- 
mounted and his fortifications were in ruins. 



170 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

Nevertheless he ordered a night assault. His 
soldiers made a brave but unsuccessful attempt 
to drive the allies from their advanced position. 
He then attempted to escape by crossing the 
river and trying his fate upon the opposite 
shore. But a terrible storm arose and the at- 
tempt was unsuccessful. The very elements 
seemed to unite their strength with that of 
the allied armies. Seeing no hope of aid, 
Cornwallis sent a flag of truce to Washington 
and the terms of surrender were very soon 
agreed upon. 

At two o'clock on the afternoon of Oct. 
19, 1781, Major-General O'Hara led out the 
whole British army from the trenches into the 
open field, where in the presence of the allied 
ranks of America and France, seven thousand 
two hundred and forty-seven English and Hes- 
sian soldiers laid down their arms and became 
prisoners of war. Lord Cornwallis did not 
appear, but sent his sword by General O'Hara. 
As a solace for the mortification he had felt at 
the surrender of Charleston the year before. 
General Lincoln was selected by Washington to 
receive it. 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 171 

The conquered were treated with great 
kindness by their conquerors. Lord Corn- 
walHs, however, felt deeply his great misfor- 
tune. It is said that on one occasion when he 
was standing before Washington with his hat 
off, the latter remarked, "My lord, you had 
better be covered from the cold." "It matters 
not, sir," replied Cornwallis, raising his hand 
to his brow, "it matters not what becomes of 
this head now." 

On the morning after the surrender Wash- 
ington issued a general order congratulating 
the allied armies on their recent victory. He 
also celebrated the event by releasing all who 
were under military arrest and by ordering 
divine services to be held throughout the camp. 

News of this important victory spread rap- 
idly through the country. One of Washington's 
aides, young Tench Tilghman, carried the glad 
tidings to Congress at Philadelphia. When 
the sentinels of the city called the hour of ten 
o'clock on the night of his arrival they shouted, 
"Ten o'clock, starlight night, and Cornwallis 
is taken." The next morning Congress joy- 
fully assembled and voted thanks to the com- 



i 



172 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

♦ l 
mander-in-chief, to Rochambeau and De GrasseJ 

and to the officers and men of both armies. 

The surrendered army of Cornwallis was 
marched under guard to Lancaster, Pennsyl- 
vania, there to await exchange; and the Ameri- 
can army went into camp once more on the Hud- 
son and in New Jersey. The French army 
wintered in Virginia with headquarters at 
WilHamsburg. 

Having attended to all the arrangements' 
for the comfort of both armies, Washington 
left Yorktown and hurried to Eltham, the home 
of his friend Colonel Barrett. Here his be- 
loved stepson, John Parke Custis, was lying 
very ill. Only a short while after his arrival, the 
young man breathed his last. As a consola- 
tion to Mrs. Washington, the general adopted 
the two youngest of the children, George 
Washington Parke Custis and Eleanor, better 
known as ''Nellie Custis." 

The surrender at Yorktown was really the 
end of the war, though the treaty of peace 
made at Paris was not signed until February, 
1783. Until peace had been concluded, Wash- 
ington remained with the army, keeping it in- 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 173 

tact and preventing quarrels and discontent 
among the officers and men. Writing of the 
discontent that prevailed in the spring of 1782 
in the camp at Newburg, an eminent historian 
says, "Nothing but their love of Washington 
restrained the army from asserting their rights 
by violence; and never did Washington display 
more judgment than in dealing with his poor, 
unpaid soldiers at this critical moment." 

In May, 1782, Washington received a letter 
from Colonel Nicola through whom the troops 
generally made their complaints, setting forth 
the belief of the army that Congress would 
never redress their wrongs, and begging that 
Washington would allow them to place him 
as king at the head of the nation. Filled with 
grief and alarm, Washington rejected the of- 
fer and told them that ''the reestablishment of 
royalty would be fatal to those liberties which 
were more precious than life." 

On Nov. 25, 1783, the last of the British 
left New York and on the next day the Ameri- 
cans marched in. General Washington and 
Governor Clinton with their suites rode at 
the head of the procession. 



174 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

A few days previous to this the army ha( 
been disbanded by order of Congress. A1 
Washington's request the men were permittei 
to take with them the arms with which the] 
had fought. He issued a touching farewell 
address to his soldiers, and after the departure 
of the British he bade his officers a final adieu. 

"It was," says Headly, ''an affecting scene. 
There were Greene and Knox and Stueben and 
Hamilton and others who had stood shoulder 
to shoulder in the deadly fray, and who with 
equal courage had faced disaster and famine. 
All that they had undergone together rushed 
into their minds." 

Standing in the midst of them, Washing- 
ton said slowly: ''With a heart full of love and 
gratitude, I now take leave of you, most de- 
voutly wishing that your latter days may be as 
prosperous and happy as your former ones have 
been glorious and honorable." He then added 
with emotion: "I cannot come to each of you to 
take my leave, but shall be obliged if each of 
you will come and take me by the hand." 

General Knox was nearest and was the 
first to advance. Washington grasped his hand 



176 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

and clasped him in his arms. Their emotions 
were too deep for utterance — not a word was_ 
spoken. The others followed. Then in si- 
lence their beloved commander preceded thei 
from the room. Escorted by a corps of lighi 
infantry, they walked slowly to Whitehall 
Ferry. Having entered the barge, Washing- 
ton turned to them, took off his hat, and waved 
a silent farewell. 

On his way to Annapolis, Washington 
stopped in Philadelphia and adjusted with the 
comptroller of the treasury his accounts from 
the commencement of the war. The total 
amount was about fourteen thousand five 
hundred pounds sterling, every item being 
entered by his own hand. This sum had act- 
ually been expended by him during the war 
from his own purse. It must be remembered 
that he would receive no pay for his own ser- 
vices. "This account," says one of his biog- 
raphers, "stands a touchstone of honesty in 
office and a lasting rebuke on that lavish ex- 
penditure of the public money too often in- 
dulged in by military commanders." 

Having arrived at Annapolis, it was set- 



«»^ 



THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 177 

tied that at twelve o'clock on Dec. 23, 1783, he 
should offer to Congress his resignation. At that 
hour, the gallery and a greater part of the floor 
of the hall of Congress were filled with ladies, 
members of Congress, and general officers. 

"Washington entered," says Irving, "con- 
ducted by the secretary of Congress, and took 
a seat in a chair prepared for him. After a 
brief pause, the president. General Mifflin, in- 
formed him that the United States in Congress 
assembled were prepared to receive his commu- 
nication." 

Washington then arose and, while a silence 
like that of death filled the chamber, made a 
brief speech concluding thus: "Having now 
finished the work assigned me, I return from 
the great theater of action, and bidding an 
affectionate farewell to this august body, under 
whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer 
my commission and take my leave of all the 
employments of public life." He then ad- 
vanced and laid his commission in the presi- 
dent's hand. 

General Mifflin replied in a most touching 
manner, offering the commander-in-chief the 



178 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



I 



homage of a grateful nation and invoking upM 
him the blessing of the Almighty. 

Seldom has such a sight been seen — a vic- 
torious commander, with royalty within his 
reach, gladly resigning his power and retiring 
to private life. 



THE CITIZEN AND PRESIDENT 179 

CHAPTER X 
THE CITIZEN AND PRESIDENT 

Upon leaving Annapolis, Washington has- 
tened toward Mount Vernon where he arrived 
on Christmas eve in time for the festivities of 
that joyous season. For some weeks, he w^as 
kept at home by the ice and snow of an unusu- 
ally severe winter; but from letters written at 
that time, we discover how much he enjoyed 
the repose of domestic life and the comforts 
of his old home. 

It was not long before he became deeply 
interested in looking over accounts and in ad- 
justing his long neglected private affairs. In 
the midst of these labors, he received from Con- 
gress an offer of a gift of money as a reward 
for his distinguished services. This gift he 
firmly but respectfully refused. He was in 
need just then of ready money, for his financial 
affairs had suffered much during his long ab- 
sences from home; but no persuasions could 
induce him to take pay for services rendered 
to his country. 



180 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

When spring returned, visitors began to 
frequent Mount Vernon. They were received 
by Washington and his wife with simple and 
cordial hospitality. ''Mrs. Washington," says 
a noted writer, "had a cheerful good sense that 
always made her an agreeable companion, and 
she was also an excellent manager. She, who 
had presided with quiet dignity at headquarters 
and cheered the wintry gloom of Valley Forge 
with her presence, presided with grace at the 
simple board of Mount Vernon." 

Washington's thoughts, however, soon turned 
to the region of the Ohio, the scene of his 
early toils and disasters whence he had written 
his first letter to his betrothed wife, Mrs. Cus- 
tis. Again we see him accompanied by his old 
friend Dr. Craik, wending his way slowly 
across the mountains over which he had "spurred 
in the days of his youthful vigor." 

The object of this journey was to survey 
his lands on the Monongahela and Great Ka- 
nawha rivers, and to examine the routes across 
the mountains and along the headwaters of 
the Potomac and Ohio rivers. Upon reaching 
the Monongahela he heard such rumors of 




MAKTHA WASHINGTON 



[181] 



182 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



1 



trouble among the Indians of the Kanawha 
Valley that he concluded not to venture among 
them. So he turned his attention to "the prac- 
ticability of making a short and easy communi- 
cation between the Potomac and James rivers, 
and the waters of the Ohio, and thence on to 
the great chain of lakes." 

This idea had taken possession of him in 
1774 when he had last visited that region, but 
it had been put aside for the grave duties of 
the Revolutionary War. His plan was to 
open up a great waterway from the lakes to the 
eastern ports, so that the products of the West 
might find their way thither instead of enriching 
the Spaniards of the Mississippi or the British 
in Canada. So enthusiastic did he become that 
he traveled over the proposed routes through 
New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Vir- 
ginia. 

In regard to this undertaking, a well- 
known author says, "Among all the evidences 
of Washington's love of country, I consider 
this one of the most striking, that at that early 
day, without fee or reward, he should have 
risked his life among hostile Indians, and his 



THE CITIZEN AND PRESIDENT 183 

health sleeping In the open woods, In countries 
then uninhabited. This Is an act of patriotic 
devotion which we, at this day, can hardly be- 
lieve possible." 

As a result of his efforts, two companies 
were formed for opening the navigation of the 
James and the Potomac rivers. He was ap- 
pointed president of both companies, and wrote 
at once to Mr. Jefferson, then minister to 
France, as to the possibility of securing a loan 
of money to carry out his plans. But once 
again he was called by the nation to more im- 
portant duties. The work was completed by 
other hands and In other days, but Washing- 
ton was the originator of the great undertaking. 

In the meantime let us see our hero at his 
beloved Mount Vernon. The regular life of 
"before the war" is resumed, and he is also 
busily engaged in setting out shrubs and sow- 
ing seeds on the lawn. Here he in planting 
trees to make a denser shade, and there he is 
having them cut out to improve the view. He 
also enjoys the sports of his adopted children, 
George and Nellie Custls. The latter, however, 
in recalling her memories of him writes, "He 



184 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



1 

tlei 



was a silent, thoughtful man. He spoke little 
generally; never of himself. I never heard him 
xelate a single act of his life during the war." 

About this time Houdon (oo doN') a French 
artist, chosen by Mr. Jefferson and Dr. Frank- 
lin, arrived at Mount Vernon to make a study 
of Washington for a statue ordered by the 
legislature of Virginia. That statue is now to 
be seen in the statehouse in Richmond, and is 
regarded as an excellent work of art. 

In August, 1784, Lafayette anxious to see 
Washington once more, visited this country. 
Within a few days after landing he was at Mount 
Vernon in the arms of his beloved friend. Leav- 
ing this hospitable home, the distinguished visi- 
tor traveled through several of the States, and 
was received everywhere with honor and affec- 
tion. When he decided to return to France in 
December, Washington accompanied him as far 
as Annapolis, and afterward wrote him a fare- 
well letter of love and gratitude. 

Though Washington was in fact living 
quietly at Mount Vernon, he was watching 
with intense anxiety the formation of the thir- 
teen States into a confederacy. He was in 



186 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 






favor of a stronger central government. In 
letter to a friend he wrote, ''I do not conceiv 
we can exist long as a nation without lodging 
somewhere a power which will pervade the Union 
in as energetic manner as the authority of 
the State governments extends over the States." 

There was at this time many plans for es- 
tablishing a better government for the new 
American nation, but the idea of remodeling 
the Articles of Confederation took form at 
Mount Vernon. Many of the deep thinkers 
of the period visited Washington and discussed 
with him the condition and needs of the re- 
public, and it is positively asserted that he ad- 
vised the calling of a convention to construct 
a stronger government. All thoughtful minds 
were convinced that a new political system 
would have to be devised in order to prevent 
the country from going to ruin. 

When a convention of the States was 
called to meet at Annapolis for the purpose of 
"revising the federal system and correcting its 
defects," Washington was placed at the head 
of the Virginia delegation. When the dele- 
gates met, he was unanimously called to the 



THE CITIZEN AND PRESIDENT 187 

chair as president. This convention was in ses- 
sion for four months, and the result of its work 
was the Constitution of the United States as it 
now stands, with the exception of the amend- 
ments made in after years. 

During the year 1788 the Constitution 
was adopted by a sufficient number of States 
to make it effective. In the first election 
Washington was chosen President and John 
Adams Vice-President for a term of four years 
from March 4, 1789. 

Washington immediately began to prepare 
his affairs for leaving home. His farewell 
visit to his aged mother at Fredericksburg was 
touching and solemn because she was suffering 
with a painful disease to which she must soon 
succumb. On April 16, as he says in his 
diary, he "bade adieu to Mount Vernon, to 
private life, and to domestic felicity." 

His progress to New York was a continued 
ovation. All along the rout*e he was welcomed 
by addresses, the ringing of bells, and the thun- 
der of artillery. He was very deeply touched 
by his reception at Trenton. As he approached 
the Delaware where twelve years before he had 



188 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

crossed through drifts of floating ice in storm 
and darkness, he now saw a triumphal arch 
which bore this inscription, ''The defender o; 
the mothers will be the protector of the daugh 
ters." At the bridge the matrons of the city- 
were assembled to do him honor, and as he 
crossed the bridge young girls, dressed in white 
and crowned with garlands, cast flowers be- 
fore him, singing an ode expressive of their 
gratitude. 

At New York his reception was royal. He 
was welcomed by Governor Clinton and con- 
ducted with military honors to a residence 
which was placed at his disposal. The streets 
and houses were beautifully decorated, and the 
crowd was so great that it was with difficulty 
that the city officers could make a way for the 
procession. Washington, preferring to go on 
foot, bowed right and left as he passed through 
the cheering multitude. 

The inauguration took place with great 
pomp and ceremony on April 30, 1789. The 
oath of office was administered by Chancellor 
Livingstone, of the State of New York, upon a 
balcony in front of the senate chamber and in 



I 




WASHINGTON ENTERING THE BALLROOM AT 

FREDERICKSBURG WITH HIS MOTHER £189] 



190 LIFE OF WASHINGTON ^ 

view of the multitude. Washington then de- 
livered his inaugural address in the senate 
chamber; after which, he walked with the whole 
assemblage to St. Paul's church, where suitable 
prayers were read by the bishop of New York. 

On May 17, Mrs. Washington accompa- 
nied by her grandchildren set out from Mount 
Vernon in her carriage to join her husband at the 
seat of government. There she presided over 
the household with the good breeding of one 
accustomed to direct the affairs of a hospitable 
home in the "ancient Dominion." 

At first the President was so overrun with 
visitors, that he found it necessary to appoint 
fixed hours for their reception, thus freeing him- 
self for his official duties. Many troublesome 
questions of etiquette arose as to how the Presi- 
dent should conduct himself. How should he 
appear in public? What kind of entertainments 
should he give? What title should he bear? 
All knew what a king should do, but who before 
had ever been called upon to act as President of 
a republic? At last Congress decided that the 
chief magistrate should have no other title 
than that of his office, namely, ''President of 



THE CITIZEN AND PRESIDENT 191 

the United States," and the ceremonies of the 
office were made as few and simple as possible. 

Hardly had these matters been settled be- 
fore the President was taken sick. For weeks 
he was very ill; and when at length he was able 
to take up his duties again it was seen that he 
had aged perceptibly. While yet an invalid, he 
received the news of his mother's death at 
Fredericksburg in her eighty-third year. 

In September, Washington formed his cabi- 
net, nominating Mr. Jefferson, secretary of 
of state; General Knox, secretary of war, and 
Alexander Hamilton, secretary of the treasury. 
The new government was soon surrounded by 
trials and^ difficulties. The question of the 
national debt was the most important to be 
solved. Hamilton resolved that this debt should 
be paid in full and, supported by the President 
and Congress, he succeeded in providing for 
its payment. 

In the autumn of 1790 troubles arose in 
the Ohio region with the Miami Indians. Gen- 
eral Harmar and General St. Clair, commanding 
separate armies, were both outwitted by the 
wily savages and defeated with great loss. In 



192 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

1793 General Wayne was sent by the President 
to the scene of action, and soon gained a great 
victory at Fallen Timbers. This victory broke 
the power of the Indians and they were com;; 
pelled to sue for peace. 

During his first term of office the President 
made two tours through the country — one 
through the New England States and the other 
through the Southern. He was much pleased 
by the visible return of prosperity and by the 
tokens of love and esteem which were showered 
upon him by the people as he journeyed along. 

While on his Southern trip he selected the 
present site of the city of Washington. In 
1790 the seat of government was moved from 
New York to Philadelphia for a period of ten 
years; after which, in the year 1800, it was to be 
established in the new city — Washington. 

The discussion over the numerous measures 
of the first term had divided the people into 
two great political parties, the Federals and the 
Anti-Federals or Republicans, later called Dem- 
ocrats. The former, headed by Hamilton, ap- 
proved of a strong central government, while 
the latter, led by Thomas Jefferson, were op- 



THE CITIZEN AND PRESIDENT 193 

posed to the Constitution as giving too much 
power to the general government and Hmiting 
that of the individual States. Washington 
was much concerned to note this party spirit, 
for it disturbed not only the tranquility of the 
country but even the harmony of his cabinet. 
A true patriot, he knew no North, no South, 
no East, no West, and could not sympathize 
with the discontent. 

The measures of the first administration, 
however, were so popular that in 1792 Washing- 
ton, now in his sixty-first year, was again elected 
President and John Adams Vice-President. 
The second administration of Washington be- 
gan with serious troubles and complications. 
There were violent dissensions between the 
two great political parties; the war upon the 
frontier was still raging ; and there were various 
troubles among the States. All these vexations 
however, were overshadowed by foreign com- 
plications 

Since 1789 France had neen convulsed by 
one of the most horrible revolutions known in 
history. Rising in their might to gain sweet 
liberty, the people had gone beyond the bounds 



i 



194 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

of humanity, and had committed outrages whicm 
shocked the world. So radical had been their 
measures that they had beheaded their good 
king, Louis XVI, and imprisoned the generous 
Lafayette, the friend of Washington. Now, in- 
volved in war with England and Holland, the 
French republic was eager to form an alliano 
with the United States. 

Washington was naturally grateful to France 
for the help she had given during the Revolution, 
but he knew that such an alliance would be 
fatal to the infant American republic, which it 
was his duty to protect. Therefore he issued 
a proclamation of neutrality declaring that the 
United States would continue friendly rela- 
tions with all contending nations and forbid- 
ding Americans to aid any one of them. In 
spite of the proclamation. Genet (zhe na'), the 
French minister, attempted to induce American 
citizens to espouse the cause of France, and 
behaved in such a manner that Washington 
was compelled to request his recall by the French 
government. These two actions raised a howl 
of indignation from the Anti-Federalists, who 
abused the President for not siding with France, 




WASHINGTON INFORMED OF HIS ELECTION BY 

CLEKK OF CONGRESS [195] 



196 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

and accused him of sympathizing with Great' 
Britain, and even of designing to be made 
king. 

To add to this commotion a new trouble 
arose. The distillers of western Pennsylvania 
refused to pay the tax upon whiskey levied by 
Congress and seized the officers sent to enforce 
the law. Washington immediately sent into 
those regions a strong military force under Gen- 
eral Henry Lee (Light Horse Harry) to establish 
law and order. At the approach of this force, 
the rioters dispersed, and the whiskey rebellion, 
as it is called, was ended. 

In spite of all the wise measures of the gov- 
ernment, a conflict between the United States 
and England now became imminent. To avert 
the horrors of another war, Mr. Jay was sent 
to England to negotiate with the British gov- 
ernment. He was successful in making an 
honorable treaty. The terms of the treaty 
were, however, very distasteful to the Anti- 
Federalists and they determined that it should 
not be ratified. Public meetings were held, and 
orators harangued the people. Never before 
had the President been subjected to such a- 



THE CITIZEN A ND PRESIDENT 197 

storm of malice and slander. His residence 
was even approached by a mob who hooted and 
threw stones at it as an indication of their 
wrath and disapproval. But Washington, be- 
lieving, the treaty to be just and hoping to 
avert war, signed it in June, 1795. 

It was well for the young republic that it 
had at the helm a pilot so prudent and bold as 
Washington. After the passions of the hour 
had subsided, it was seen that his measures had 
been wise and good, and once more he resumed 
the ascendency over the minds of his country- 
men. About this time, Mr. Jefferson, his bril- 
liant political foe, wrote of him to Mr. Monroe, 
at Paris, thus: "Congress have arisen. You will 
see by their proceedings the truth of what I 
told you, viz., that one man outweighs them all 
in influence over the people, who support his 
judgment against their own and that of their 
representatives. Republicanism resigns its ves- 
sel to the pilot." 

But the pilot was now growing old and 
needed rest. When the period for the presiden- 
tial election drew near, he was strongly urged 
to permit the use of his name for a third term. 



198 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

He had determined, however, to retire froi 
pubhc Hfe, and in September, 1796, he issued] 
to the people of the United States his farewell 
address, a document filled w^ith wisdom and^ 
patriotism. It made a profound impression 
upon the people, and hushed all suggestions of 
a third term. 

On December 7, Washington met both 
houses of Congress for the last time. In his 
speech he advocated an institution for the im- 
provement of agriculture, a military academy, 
a national university, and a gradual increase 
of the navy. In conclusion he congratulated 
Congress upon the success of the government 
and implored upon the nation the blessings of 
the Supreme Ruler of the universe. 

On March 4, 1797, Mr. Adams was inaugu- 
rated President, and Mr. Jefferson Vice-Presi- 
dent. When Washington, who was present 
at the ceremony, moved towards the door, the 
hall was filled with acclamations of love and 
reverence. Upon reaching the street, he waved 
his hat in response to the cheers of the multi- 
tude, and departed, his eyes filled with tears, 
his emotion too great for utterance. 



FIRST IN HEARTS OF FELLOW-CITIZENS 199 



CHAPTER XI 

FIRST IN THE HEARTS OF HIS FELLOW- 
CITIZENS 

Once again we find our beloved Washing- 
ton at the ''home of his heart," Mount Vernon. 
But now the hand of time has touched both 
master and home. The master has silvery 
locks, and his step is not so bold as when, a 
young ambassador, he crossed the ''Great 
Divide." The house, which has remained un- 
occupied for several years. Is falling into decay. 

Washington found pleasure In making the 
necessary repairs to the mansion, and in having 
a building erected wherein to preserve his most 
important papers. He soon began his former 
routine of mounting his horse after breakfast 
and riding through his plantation until dinner, 
when, as he wrote to a friend, "I rarely miss 
seeing strange faces, come, as they say, out of 
respect to me." 

So many visitors began to frequent Mount 
Vernon that he found it necessary to have some 



I 



200 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

one to assist him in entertaining. He therefore 
wrote to his favorite nephew, Lawrence Lewis, 
then aide to General Knox, and invited him to 
make Mount Vernon his home — telUng him 
frankly that by taking off his hands those dutiesf 
which hospitality obliges one to bestow on com- 
pany, he would render him a very acceptable 
service. 

Mount Vernon was particularly attractive to 
the young gallants of the time, for Miss 
Nellie Custis had now grown up into a lovely 
woman. For some time it was not known which 
of her admirers was the favored one, but at 
last, to Washington's great satisfaction, she 
chose his nephew. Major Lawrence Lewis. 
Miss Nellie had inherited her grandmother's 
beauty and vivacity and was a great favorite 
with the general. We are told that Washing- 
ton was fond of children, especially girls; as 
to boys, with all his spirit of command, he found 
them at times somewhat ungovernable, ''I 
can govern men," he would say, ''but I cannot 
govern boys." 

One evening after Miss Nellie had been 
wandering alone by moonlight in the groves of 




WASHINGTON AND NELLIE CUSTIS ^201] 



202 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 



1 



Mount Vernon, she was given by her grand 
mamma a severe reproof for her reckless con- 
duct. She admitted her fault and made no 
excuse, but when grandmamma made a pause 
in her lecture she left the room. As she wa 
closing the door, she heard the general, who wa 
walking up and down the floor with his hands 
behind him, say, "My dear, I should say no 
more — perhaps she was not alone." Miss Nellie 
at once returned and with a firm step advanced 
to the general. "Sir," said she, "you brought 
me up to tell the truth, and when I told grand- 
mamma that I was alone, I hope that you be- 
lieve that I was alone." The general made one 
of his most courtly bows and replied, "My 
child, I beg your pardon." 

On Feb. 22, 1799, Miss Custis was married 
to Major Lewis in the long drawingroom at 
Mount Vernon. The mansion was decked with 
flowers and evergreens. All the gentlefolks of 
the surrounding country attended the wedding 
and the scene was one of great brilliancy and 
beauty. The occasion was especially gratify- 
ing to Washington. 

In the midst of this poetic life, Washington 



e 



FIRST IN HEARTS OF FELLOW-CITIZENS 203 

was disturbed by the fear of a war with France. 
The troubles with that country had become so 
serious that the government voted an army, 
ordered a navy, and authorized our merchant- 
men to arm themselves against French men-of- 
war. 

The President, Mr. Adams, wrote to Wash- 
ington and entreated him to place himself once 
more at the head of the army. Before Washing- 
ton could reply, the senate had chosen him 
commander-in-chief of all the armies raised or 
to be raised. After some hesitation he consented 
to accept the position on the two conditions 
that he should not be compelled to take the 
field unless there should be actual invasion, 
and that he should have the right to name his 
own subordinates. 

Washington once more established his head- 
quarters at Philadelphia where he spent five 
weeks in consultation with other officers. He 
then returned to Mount Vernon leaving the 
greater part of the responsibility to be borne 
by Major-General Hamilton. 

The American frigates put to sea and in the 
summer and fall of 1799 did good service for 



204 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

the commerce of their country. The reorgani- 
zation of the American army also went on and 
was soon completed. 

In the meantime, however, the great Napo-| 
leon made himself First Consul of France. 
One of his first acts was to make overtures oi 
peace to the United States. These were ac- 
cepted, and in September, 1799, a new treaty 
was made between the two republics. 

Hardly was the war cloud scattered before 
winter with rain and frosts and snow set in. 
Washington, in full health and strength, kept 
up an active interest in attending to his 
estate. On December 10 he finished a complete 
system by which his farms were to be managed 
for several years. It filled thirty folio pages 
and shows the soundness and vigor of his mind, 
as well as his love of order and good manage- 
ment. 

The next day after writing a letter to 
Hamilton, he mounted his horse and rode to a 
distant part of his estate. Before he reached 
home late in the evening, snow set in followed 
by a cold rain. Mr. Lear, his secretary, met 
him upon his return and, noticing that snow 



FIRST IN HEARTS OF FELLOW-CITIZF<NS 205 

was hanging from his hair, expressed the fear 
that he was wet; but the general repHed that 
his great coat had kept him dry. As dinner 
was waiting, he sat down to the table without 
changing his clothes. 

On the following morning he complained of 
sore throat, but in the afternoon he went out 
to mark some trees which were to be cut down. 
That evening he was very cheerful. Though a 
little hoarse, he sat in the parlor with Mrs. 
Washington and Mr. Lear reading the news- 
papers which had just come by post. During 
the night he was taken extremely ill with chills 
and difficulty of breathing. His old friend, 
Dr. Craik, was sent for. While waiting for 
the doctor, he instructed Rawlins, one of the 
overseers, to bleed him. His condition soon 
became so serious that two other physicians 
were sent for. Every remedy that the science 
of the day could suggest was tried but without 
avail. The general grew steadily worse. Dur- 
ing the next day he sank away and in the even- 
ing fell into the "last long sleep" from which 
neither the voice of affection nor the bugle's 
call could ever awaken him. 



206 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

The news of his death touched all with 
heartfelt grief. Many, as a symbol of their 
sorrow, put on mourning. Congress, upon re- 
ceiving the sad intelligence, went in funeral 
procession and mourning garb to the German 
Lutheran church where General Henry Lee|| 
in a touching oration, declared that the 
departed general had been, "First in war|| 
first in peace, and first in the hearts of his 
fellow-citizens." 

When the news reached England, Lord 
Rudport, commanding sixty vessels of the line, 
lowered his flags to half-mast; and Napoleon, 
First Consul of France, ordered that emblems 
of mourning be suspended from all standards 
for the period of ten days, pronouncing at the 
same time a beautiful tribute to the virtue of 
"the warrior, the legislator, and the citizen 
without reproach." 

Washington died on Dec. 14, 1799, in the 
sixty-eighth year of his life. The funeral was 
simple and modest, according to his wishes 
— all confined to the grounds of Mount Vernon 
which, "after forming the poetic dream of his 
life, now became his final resting place." 



FIRST IN HEARTS OF FELLOW-CITIZENS 207 

When his will was read, one of the first 
provisions was found to direct, upon the death 
of Mrs. Washington, the freeing of his slaves. 
He had long been resolved never to purchase 
another slave. Indeed, for some time his mind 
had been filled with anxiety for the future of 
his beloved country. He felt that in the course 
of time the institution of slavery would bring 
about a civil war. In a letter to Major Lewis 
in 1797, he said, ''I wish from my soul that the 
legislature of the State would see the policy 
of a gradual abolition of slavery. It might 
prevent much mischief." 

When Mrs. Washington learned from her 
husband's will that he desired the emancipa- 
tion of his negroes, she at once relinquished her 
dower right in them and set them free. She 
also requested that the vault in which her hus- 
band's remains had been placed should not 
be sealed; for, said she, ''It will have to be 
opened soon." Her forebodings were realized, 
as she survived her illustrious husband only a 
little more than two years. 

Mount Vernon was willed by General Wash- 
ington to his distinguished nephew. Bush- 



208 LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

rod Washington, who leaving no children, Be- 
queathed it to his nephew, John Augustin 
Washington. From his hands the mansio 
and fifty acres of land, in 1858, passed into th 
keeping of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Associa 
tion. It was then dedicated to the people of 
the United States, and is kept as a shrine 
whither all lovers of true liberty may go t 
gain inspiration. 

As we review the life of Washington we 
notice especially the uprightness, modesty, and 
steadfastness of his character. It cannot be 
shown that he practiced a single vice and his 
modesty was surpassed only by his courage. 
When depressed by defeat, or weary of correct- 
ing the blunders of his subordinates, or dis- 
couraged by the inadequate support of Congress, 
or distressed by the condition of his starving 
and mutinous soldiers, had he once faltered, 
the ''flower of liberty" would have perished 
in the bud, and the colonies would have rer 
mained, at least for a time, under the dominion" 
of Great Britain. 

No one of sound judgment and proper in- 
formation will deny Washington a place 



1 




WASHINGTON STATUE IN RICHMOND [209] 



210 LIFE OF V/ASHINGTON 

among the great military leaders of the world. 
As an organizer, we see him at Boston trans- 
forming the mob of citizens and farmers into 
trained soldiers; as a strategist, we find him 
at Trenton and Princeton entrapping the enemy 
by his wonderful maneuvers; and as a brave 
impetuous leader, we admire him at Princeton 
and Monmouth, spurring to the front and rally- 
ing his men to victory. • I 

But the capstone of Washington's charac- 
ter was his patriotism. At first Congress 
watched him with a jealous eye, fearing that | 
he might assume too much power. They soon I 
found, however, that their commander-in-chief ■ 
watched their interests more closely than his 
own — that their liberties were entirely safe in 
his keeping. His pure love of country was 
soon recognized, not only in America but across 
the ocean ; and there is no doubt that the char- 
acter and dignity of the American commander 
influenced in no small degree the French gov- 
ernment to enter into a treaty of alliance with 
the United States. 

Washington the general was a great man, 
but Washington the President was even greater. 



FIRST IN HEARTS OF FELLOW-CITIZENS 211 

Wise, beneficent, steadfast, and incorruptible, 
he guided the repubHc through the stormy years 
of her infancy and placed her among the nations 
of the earth. His faculties, taken separately, 
were not the most brilliant, but they were so 
evenly balanced as to constitute a genius of 
the highest order. The superb evenness of his 
nature was nowhere exhibited so plainly as in 
his religious views. He accepted the simple 
faith taught at his mother's knee — going neither 
into infidelity on the one hand, nor into fanati- 
cism on the other. Many of his letters, and 
especially his first inaugural address, show an 
abiding faith in the Christian religion. 

And now, though more than a century 
has elapsed since Washington was laid in the 
silent tomb, his fame fills the world with its 
brightness, and he is still "first in the hearts 
of his fellow-citizens.'^ 



W 73 



